Raphael Rooms

The first section is the Vision of the Cross, which depicts a miraculous event that is said to have occurred before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. According to legend, Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the sky with the words "in this sign you will conquer". The fresco shows Constantine and his soldiers gazing up at the cross in awe.

The second section is the Battle of the Pons Milvius, which was fought between Constantine and his rival Maxentius in 312 AD. The fresco shows the moment when Constantine's army triumphs over Maxentius' army and Maxentius himself falls into the River Tiber.

The third section is the Baptism of Constantine, which is said to have occurred shortly after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The fresco shows Constantine being baptized by Pope Sylvester I in the presence of his mother Helena and other important figures.

The fourth section is the Donation of Rome, which depicts Constantine's gift of the city of Rome to Pope Sylvester I. The fresco shows Constantine presenting a scroll to the pope while other figures look on.

The frescoes in the Hall of Constantine are also meant to celebrate the triumph of the Christian religion over paganism. This is most evident in the final section of the frescoes, which shows the Triumph of the Christian Religion. The fresco shows Christ in the center, flanked by saints and angels, while figures representing pagan religion are scattered around the edges. This section is often seen as a reflection of the victory of Christianity over the old pagan religions of Rome.

One of the most prominent frescoes in the room is the Mass of Bolsena, which portrays a miracle that took place in the city of Bolsena, Italy. The story goes that during a mass, a priest had doubts about the existence of transubstantiation, and as he raised the host, it began to bleed. The fresco shows the priest and the miraculous host surrounded by other figures in awe.

Another significant fresco in the room is the Liberation of St. Peter, which depicts the biblical story of St. Peter's imprisonment by King Herod. According to the story, an angel appeared to St. Peter in prison and helped him escape. The fresco shows St. Peter being led out of his cell by the angel while the guards sleep.

The Encounter of Leo the Great with Attila is another notable fresco in the Room of Heliodorus. It depicts a legendary meeting between Pope Leo I and Attila the Hun, who had invaded Italy in the 5th century. According to legend, Attila was persuaded by Pope Leo to spare Rome from destruction.

The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple fresco is the centrepiece of the room, and it depicts the biblical story of Heliodorus, who was sent by the king of Syria to seize the treasure in the temple in Jerusalem. The story goes that as Heliodorus attempted to take the treasure, he was struck by a heavenly apparition and forced to flee.

The Disputation over the Most Holy Sacrament depicts a theological dispute over the Eucharist. The fresco shows a group of theologians and saints gathered around an altar, debating the nature of the Eucharist. The upper part of the painting shows Christ, surrounded by angels, holding a chalice with the Eucharistic Host.

The School of Athens fresco depicts the greatest philosophers and scientists of ancient Greece, including Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras, gathered in the courtyard of a classical building. The painting is a tribute to the Renaissance's passion for classical culture and learning.

This fresco illustrates the three cardinal virtues - prudence, fortitude, and temperance - and the three theological virtues - faith, hope, and charity. In the center of the fresco, there is a depiction of an enthroned figure with a sword, representing the allegory of the Law.

The last fresco of the Room of the Segnatura represents the allegory of poetry. The painting portrays the gods and goddesses of the arts and sciences gathered on Mount Parnassus. Apollo, the god of poetry, is playing the lyre, and the Muses surround him, representing various artistic disciplines such as history, astronomy, and geometry.

This fresco portrays the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 AD. The painting depicts Charlemagne kneeling before the Pope, who is placing a crown on his head, while other figures surround them. This painting symbolizes the relationship between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.

This fresco depicts the events surrounding the trial of Pope Leo III, who was accused of various crimes by his enemies. The painting shows Leo III being absolved by the intervention of God, represented by a hand emerging from the clouds. The fresco portrays the triumph of justice over false accusations.

The fresco painting depicts the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in a neighborhood near St. Peter's Basilica. According to tradition, the fire was miraculously put out by the sign of the cross made by Pope Leo IV. The painting portrays the people of Rome witnessing the miraculous event, with some falling to their knees in prayer.

This fresco painting depicts the Battle of Ostia, which took place in 849 AD. The battle was fought between the Papal States and the Saracens, who were attempting to invade Rome. The painting portrays the victory of the Papal States over the Saracens and the protection of Rome from their invasion.