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A wonderfully detailed bird's-eye view of Rome, this antiquarian engraving by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg hails from Cologne, circa 1572, presenting an intricate depiction of the city's monumental structures and topography during the mid-sixteenth century.

Presented in this engraving is Rome in its grandeur, fortified within the Aurelian Walls, a stretch of 19 kilometers in length and six meters in height dating back to the 3rd century. The noteworthy ruins of Ancient Rome are vividly rendered within these walls, providing a glimpse into the city's rich history. Among the many landmarks are the Coliseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Forum Romanum, and the Baths of Caracalla, each possessing stories that date back centuries, echoing the grandeur of the Roman Empire and its architectural prowess.

Central to the engraving is the Pantheon, a remarkably preserved architectural marvel from around 120 AD. The structure, consecrated to the Virgin and all the Christian martyrs by Pope Boniface VI in 609, evolved into Santa Maria Rotunda, further marking Rome's transformation under Christian dominance. This harmonious fusion of the city's Pagan past and Christian present is exemplified by the inclusion of both Santa Maria in Aracoeli, crowning the Capitoline Hill, and Trajan's Column to its left.

Across the Tiber, the engraving illuminates the Vatican area, dominated by the imposing Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as Hadrian's mausoleum. The Old St Peter's Basilica, which underwent modifications since 1506, graces the scene, its monumental successor and the layout of St Peter's Square still under construction until the 17th century. The foreground on the left showcases the Papal Palace, with the obelisk—originally from the Circus of Caligula and Nero, marking the site of St Peter's martyrdom—strikingly positioned upfront. As such, this artifact serves as a testimony to Rome's layered history, preserving the grandeur of the past while capturing the changes yet to come.