The façade is covered with mosaics representing the Virgin and Child
enthroned, surrounded by ten virgins, and on either side the figure of
a bishop (Innocent II. and Eugenius III.); above this are palms, the
twelve sheep, and the mystic cities, and our Lord enthroned between
angels. The interior contains twenty-two columns. The Assumption, on
the ceiling, is by Domenichino. Beneath the high altar are the remains
of five early popes. In the upper part of the tribune are mosaics of
the Saviour and a female figure (representing the Church, the bride of
Christ, and not the Virgin, as is generally said) seated on thrones;
beneath are lambs, and representations from the life of the Virgin.
_Leaving the church, and going down the_ VIA DELLA SCALA, _hence
turning to the right into the Via di Ponte Sisto_, the house on the
left, a baker's shop, with Gothic upper windows, was the HOUSE OF
RAPHAEL'S FORNARINA. RAPHAEL'S HOUSE was at No. 124 Via dei Coronari,
near the S. Angelo Bridge. _A short distance, and we reach_