Which artist designed the Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio in Rome?

Donato Bramante designed the Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio in Rome. Built around 1502, the small circular temple is one of the clearest architectural statements of the High Renaissance.

The Tempietto was commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and stands in a monastery courtyard traditionally associated with the martyrdom of Saint Peter. Its design draws on ancient Roman models, especially the centrally planned temple.

A ring of Doric columns surrounds the circular cella, and the structure rises above a short set of steps. Bramante’s use of proportion, classical orders, and a centralized plan made the building influential far beyond its modest size.

The Tempietto is sometimes mistakenly described as an early design for the new Saint Peter’s Basilica. Bramante did become chief architect of Saint Peter’s in 1506, but the two projects are distinct.