ON THE METHOD EMPLOYED

IN TRANSFERRING

THE VATICAN OBELISK,

AND OF THE BUILDINGS COMPLETED

BY OUR LORD

POPE SIXTUS V.

WITH THEIR DESIGNS.

An ornamental typographic divider composed of fleurons.

TO THE READERS.

An ornate woodcut initial "L" depicts a landscape with a tower and figures within a square frame.

The Holiness of our Lord SIXTUS V, as an excellent and most wise Prince, always abhorred the worship of the false Gods of the Gentiles, which is called Idolatry. Hence it is that, in the first year that he was assumed to the Pontificate by the providence of the supreme Mover, he sought with every possible strength not only to repress, but to remove entirely the memory of the Idols, which were so exalted by the Pagans through Pyramids, Obelisks, Columns, Temples, and other famous buildings: and on the contrary, to exalt at all times the Mysteries and Ministers of the Catholic Religion. Therefore, he was pleased to give beginning to such a pious desire and ardent zeal with the Obelisk of the Vatican, which is commonly called the Guglia original: "Guglia," meaning spire or needle, a stone so marvelous, drawing it from the shame of the Idols to which it was anciently dedicated. By this beginning, he erased the worldly glory of the Gentiles, who mainly consecrated the Obelisks and Pyramids—esteemed as the richest and most memorable Trophies—to the superstition of their Gods. Purging this spire and consecrating it as a support and base for the most holy Cross, the most singular and marked that had ever been placed under it by anyone else, he did this also to honor even more the sign of our salvation, which was so abhorred by those Gentiles as a mark of infamy and an instrument of shameful punishment. And for greater confirmation, that with the death of the Savior fixed upon it, it has reasonably become the triumphant and victorious banner of Kings and Emperors; and not only has our Lord exalted it above that Spire, but also for the greater glory and splendor of this sacred standard of Christians, he has ordered that it be placed above all his notable buildings: namely, on the other Spires at Santa Maria Maggiore, at San Giovanni Laterano, at Santa Maria del Popolo, above the Chapel of the Presepe original: "Capella del Preſepio," the Chapel of the Manger/Nativity, on the Quirinal Gate, above the Felice fountain, above the palace of the residence of his Holiness at Monte Cavallo, above the Campidoglio, and elsewhere, and in the other buildings that will be continually made. Wherefore, with such high honors bestowed upon the Most Holy Cross, in addition to the adornments that these marvelous Obelisks bring...