The Vatican obelisk, weighing 320 tons, was successfully erected in St. Peter’s Square in 1586 under the engineering direction of Domenico Fontana. This complex feat required the coordinated labor of 800 men and 160 horses, relying on an intricate system of pulleys and ropes to maneuver the massive stone monument into its upright position.
Early Career in Rome
Born in 1543 in the village of Melide, Fontana moved to Rome in 1563 to join his elder brother. He established himself initially as a plasterer and mason before transitioning into architectural design. His first project in 1577 was a villa in Piazza Pasquino for Cardinal Montalto. In 1584, the Cardinal commissioned him to build the Cappella del Presepio within the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a structure defined by its balanced dome and Greek cross layout.
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Upon the Cardinal’s ascension as Pope Sixtus V, Fontana became the lead architect for St. Peter’s. During this tenure, he added the lantern to the St. Peter’s dome and was awarded the Order of the Golden Spur. His work during this period included the Lateran Palace, begun in 1586, and significant alterations to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, where he introduced wide-spanning double arcades. He also contributed designs for the Apostolic Palace and the Quirinal Palace.
Engineering and Obelisk Relocation
Fontana gained significant recognition for his application of statics, notably in the transportation and erection of ancient obelisks. Beyond the Vatican obelisk, he successfully oversaw the placement of three additional monuments in the Piazza del Popolo, the Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, and the Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano. He documented these technical processes in his 1590 publication, Della transportatione dell'obelisco Vaticano e delle fabriche di Sisto V.
Final Years in Naples
Following the death of Pope Sixtus V and a subsequent period of professional decline under Pope Clement VIII, Fontana faced accusations of misappropriating public funds. He relocated to Naples to serve as the architect to the Viceroy, Juan de Zúñiga. In Naples, he constructed the Royal Palace and designed canal systems. While supervising canal construction, his workers identified the location of the ancient city of Pompeii. He died in 1607 and was interred at the church of Sant'Anna dei Lombardi.
Fast facts
- Born: 1543, Melide
- Died: 1607, Naples
- Movement: Mannerism
- Key engineering feat: Erecting the 320-ton Vatican obelisk
- Notable works: Apostolic Palace, Royal Palace of Naples, Lateran Palace
- Award: Order of the Golden Spur
- Citizenship: Italy
- Professional organizations: Accademia di San Luca
Questions readers ask
What significant archaeological discovery occurred during Fontana’s time in Naples?
While building a canal in Naples, a crew under Fontana's supervision became the first to confirm the location of the ancient city of Pompeii.
Which notable structures did Fontana work on in Rome?
His major Roman works include the Apostolic Palace, the Quirinal Palace, the Lateran Palace, San Luigi dei Francesi, and the Cappella del Presepio at Santa Maria Maggiore.
Achievements
- Notable work: San Luigi dei Francesi
- Notable work: Quirinal Palace
- Notable work: Lateran Palace
- Notable work: Royal Palace of Naples
- Worked as architect, painter and sculptor
