FIRE IN THE VILLAGE

“Incendio di Borgo” is a Raffaello fresco dated 1514 (dimensions 670x500cm) and is located in the Room called “ Incendio di Borgo” (Fire in the Village), in the Vatican Museums.

In 847 broke out a terrible firein front of the old Church of Saint Peter (the village) a terrible fire.

Leone IV, while giving the solemn blessing from the Lodge of the Blessings, was miraculously able to extinguish the fire, saving the population and the Church.

The story is set into a classic scenery, populated by heroic figures influenced by Michelangelo, with literary references reminding to the fire of Troy, and the role of peacemaker of the Pope among the Christian powers.

Two groups of different kind of architectures are the side wings , while in the center, a bit far away, it is clear the figure of the Pope, calm and sure about himself .

At the left side, a ruined temple, and, it is shown through an arch, a roofless burning building.

A naked man descends the wall with an evident muscular tension that clearly shows the effort, while a woman gives an infant to a man.

At the right side, a group of women in a ionic temple, rushing in order to bring containers full of water to extinguish the fire. 

Detail of weaving