The Cortile della Pigna in the Vatican Museums in Rome

The Cortile della Pigna in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The Vatican bronze pinecone is a colossal and ancient bronze sculpture also known as the Pinion and is located in one of the courtyards at the Vatican, in the Cortile della Pigna. It was found in the Middle Ages at the Baths of Agrippa where it originates, until late in the antiquity, today you can find it in the complex of the Vatican Museums now for many centuries.

This Roman work of the second century is almost four meters high is the sculptor’s signature brings to Publio Cincio Savio. Initially it used to decorate the center of the ancient portico of St. Peter’s Basilica. In 1608 it was placed at the center of the exedra of the Bramante’s courtyard, today called, in fact, Cortile della Pigna.

La Pigna is located at the top of a double staircase designed by Michelangelo. It has as a capital base which depicts the coronation of a victorious athlete, the work of the third century coming from the baths of Nero, and is flanked by two bronze  peacocks of the Hadrian’s era. The Cortile della Pigna in the Vatican Museums is named for this colossal sculture placed in nicheo, and is bounded on the north by Palazzatto of Innocent VIII, to the south by New Wing, to the east by Chiaromonti Gallery and to the west by the Apostolic Library galleries.

With Italy Museum discover the fantastic Italian cultural and artistic heritage

Stay up to date on all the news of Italian Museums.