S. Maria Maggiore

Artist: Giuliano da Sangallo (started); Antonio da Sangallo the Elder (finished)

Date: 1455-1503 ca.

• Pope Callistus III (1455-1458) was the benefactor for starting the gold coffered ceiling. It was finished with the later assistance of Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503)

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• It is said that the gold in the ceiling was a gift to Pope Alexander from Ferdinand and Isabella who obtained it from the newly discovered Americas

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• Callistus' coat of arms appears 2 times. Alexander's coat of arms appears 3 times. As both Popes were of the Borgia family, the image is of a bull