of the works which he caused to be constructed during; his pontificate, and of which he would have erected many more, had not death interposed to prevent him.[1] Among those for which Bernardo was employed by Pope Nicholas, was the rebuilding of the Piazza, or Market, in Fabriano, (according to what we find related by Giannozzo Manetti,[2] where Bernardo remained during several months, on account of the plague, which was that year raging in Florence. This he enlarged where it was too closely restricted, and brought the whole place into good order, erecting a range of shops around it, which are very useful as well as commodious and liandsome. He then restored the church of San Francesco in the same place, which was going to ruin; and at Gualdo he rebuilt the church of San Benedetto, we may almost say, entirely anew, considering the addition of handsome and well constructed buildings which he made to it. In Assisi, the church of San Francesco was greatly damaged in some parts, and in others was threatening to fall; this building, he likewise repaired and strengthened most thoroughly, covering it also with a new roof. At Civita Vecchia, Bernardo erected many beautiful and magnificent edifices; and at Civita Castellana, he rebuilt more than a third of the city walls in a very good manner. At Narni, also, he rebuilt and enlarged the fortress, adding to it strong and handsome walls. At Orvieto, this artist likewise erected a large fortress, with a most beautiful palace, a work of great cost, and no less magnificence.[3] At Spoleto, in like manner, he enlarged and strengthened the fortress, constructing dwelling-places therein, so handsome, commodious, and well-arranged, that nothing better can be seen. He restored the baths of Viterbo at great expense and with a most regal spirit, erecting residences there, calculated, not for the rich only, who daily go
- ↑ Nicholas V. died on the 23rd March, 1455.
- ↑ In the Life of Pope Nicholas V. namely, in MS. in the Magliabecchiana Library, and printed by Muratori, Rer. Ital. Script, vol. iii. part 2. Rumohr, Forsch. Ital., vol. ii. p. 193.
- ↑ Della Valle affirms, that the fortress of Orvieto was built some ages earlier than the time of Bernardo, and that the palaces to be found in Orvieto were constructed under the care of the architect, Ippolito Scalza, of Orvieto; he is therefore at a loss to understand what palace Bernardo can have built in that place.
