Spire of Pius IX, Rome
The monument “Spire of Pius IX” is located on the Tiber Island in Rome, in the Basilica of St. Bartholomew. The spire was built by order of the very pontiff Pius IX in front of the church in 1869. The Tiber Island itself shaped like a boat that had an obelisk instead of a mast rising above it for a long time. In 1868 it was destroyed, and Pope decided to set a spire there.
Ignazio Jacometti, a famous Italian architect, took charge of the project – he was the artist who created sculptures for the Scala Sancta and a statue at the base of the Column of the Immaculate Conception.
Composition of the Spire of Pius IX
Made entirely of marble and decorated with Pius’s IX coat of arms and a dedication The Spire of Pius IX stands on a high four corner pedestal.
The top part of the monument is connected to four recesses which have statues of four saints set in them. These personalities are closely related to the history and life of the island:
- John of God, the founder of the Order of Hospitallers.
- The apostle Bartholomew.
- Paolino di Nola – the Basilica of St. Bartholomew still houses his relics.
- Saint Francis of Assisi.
The cross embellished with lion sculptures and flower patterns tops the Spire of Pius IX.
How to get
The Spire of Pius IX is situated on the Basilica of St. Bartholomew; two bridges are leading to this place:
- From the right bank – The Pons Fabricius (built in 62 BC).
- From the left bank – The Pons Cestius (built in 46 BC).
