Sala Sobieski and Sala dell’Immacolata (Vatican Museums Rome)

The Sobieski Hall is one of the sections in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The room is dominated by a painting by the Polish artist Jean Matejko. Like the other paintings in this room, the work dates from the 19th century. The Sala dell’Immacolata is located in the Torre Borgia. Both rooms are located between the Map Museum and the Apartment of Julius II.

Sala Sobieski and Sala dell’Immacolata Vatican Rome

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Sobieski Hall

Sala Sobieski, Vatican Museums, Rome
Sala Sobieski

The Sala Sobieski is named after the large painting that shows the victory of the Polish king Giovanni III Sobieski over the Turkish troops. This battle took place near Vienna in 1683.

The other paintings in the room also date from the 19th century.

Among them are two paintings by Cesare Fracassini, namely “San Pietro Canisio with Ferdinand I of Habsburg” and the “Martyrs of Gorinchem” (1867).

The Martyrs of Gorinchem were a group of 19 Dutch clergymen, who were hanged on July 9, 1572 in Brielle by a number of militant Calvinists.

"The Martyrs of Gorinchem", Fracassini, Sala Sobieski, Rome
“The Martyrs of Gorinchem”, Fracassini (1867)

Sala dell’Immacolata

This room is characterized by a large display case. The books exhibited in it were also donated to Pope Pius IX in the 19th century. They were donated by kings, bishops and cities. The occasion was the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

The walls of the Sala dell’Immacolata are painted with a fresco cycle that has the “Immaculate Conception” as its subject. The cycle was painted by Francesco Podesti between 1855 and 1864. The ceiling frescoes were also painted by Podesti.

Ceiling frescoes by Francesco Podesti, Sala dell'Immacolata, Vatican Museums, Rome
Sala dell’Immacolata ceiling frescoes by Francesco Podesti.

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