The Battle of Lepanto

Historical Center

The Battle of Lepanto
The vaulted ceiling of the Sala Grande is decorated with this enormous fresco that celebrates the victory against Turkey in 1571 by the Christians guided by Marcantonio Colonna, member of the family that commissioned the work. He was a general at the time of the Papal fleet under Pio V. The two artists, who often worked together, were both students of Pietro da Cortona.