Vatican Museum Gallery of Maps
In 1581, the Gallery of Maps was inaugurated under pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni, born in Bologna. It is located between the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Pope Gregory’s inaugural plaque reads, ‘Italia totius orbis regio nobilissima’ (literally, ‘The most noble of Italy and of the whole of the region of the world’
© William S. Briggs
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to William S. Briggs. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the express, written permission of the photographer.