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The papal chapel, located in the eastern section of the medieval Lateran Palace, was dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra. It was founded by Callistus II (1119-1124), presumably in 1123. S. Nicola was not considered an independent church in the Middle Ages. Its painted vestibule pro secretis conciliis was known to several 12th century authors (Rodrigo of Toledo, Arnulf of Lisieux, Otto of Freising, John of Salisbury, Suger of Saint-Denis). The chapel of S. Nicola in Palatio and its vestibules were particularly significant for their pictorial decoration reflecting the papacy's victory in the struggle against the empire for temporal and spiritual power. The highlight of its decoration was the apse, painted with an iconographic programme celebrating the Reformation papacy and its victory over its adversaries during the struggle for investiture. Papal figures and scenes of papal victory were accompanied by inscriptions, emphasising the Church's triumph over discord and heresy.

Abb. 473-NicolainPalatio_001.tiffDownload
Rom, S. Nicola in Palatio, Ausschnitt mit Triklinium Leos III. und Nikolauskapelle Calixtus’ II. nach dem Lateranplan von Francesco Contini, 1630 (nach Herklotz 1989)
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Abb. 474-NicolainPalatio_002.jpgDownload
Rom, S. Nicola in Palatio, Ausschnitt mit Triklinium Leos III. und Nikolauskapelle aus dem Pergamentplan der Borromini-Werkstatt, 1646. Wien, Albertina, Inv.Nr. It. AZ 373a
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Abb. 475-NicolainPalatio_003.tifDownload
Rom, S. Nicola in Palatio, Vedute des Laterankomplexes von Osten. Skizzenbuch Rappaport (BHR Fotothek)
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Abb. 476-NicolainPalatio_004.tiffDownload
Rom, S. Nicola in Palatio, Stich von 1639 mit der einstigen Ausmalung der Apsis (nach Gattula 1722)
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Abb. 477-NicolainPalatio_005.tifDownload
Fresko im einstigen geheimen Beratungsraum vor S. Nicola in Palatio, O. Panvinio. BAV, Barb. lat. 2738, fol. 105v. Links: Alexander II. über Cadolus (Honorius II.); fol. 104r. Rechts: Gregor VII., einst flankiert von Viktor III. und Urban II über Wibert von Ravenna (Clemens III.) (nach Ladner 1934)
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Abb. 478-NicolainPalatio_006.tifDownload
Fresko im einstigen geheimen Beratungsraum vor S. Nicola in Palatio, O. Panvinio. BAV, Barb. lat. 2738, fol. 105v. Links: Paschalis II. über einem Gegenpapst (Albertus, Mahinulfus, Theodericus); Rechts: Calixt II., über dem überwundenen Burdinus (Gregor VIII.). Rechts tritt Kaiser Heinrich V. ins Bild. Gemeinsam halten Papst und Kaiser die mannshohe Pergamentrolle der Wormser Übereinkunft (nach Ladner 1941)
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Abb. 479-NicolainPalatio_007.tifDownload
Fresko in einem von Innocenz II. gestifteten Raum südwestlich von S. Nicola in Palatio mit Szene aus dem Krönungszug Lothars III. Zeichnung aus dem Besitz von A. Chacón. BAV, Barb. lat. 2738, fol. 104v–105r (nach Ladner 1941)
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Number in map
78
Church name
S. Nicola in Palatio
Not existing
Coordinates
41.88684, 12.50727
Rione
Monti (I)
Nolli's map #
17
Chronology
first quarter 12th century
Keywords
papal chapel, Lateran Palace, St. Nicholas of Myra, Pope Calixtus II, painted vestibule, apse, pictorial decoration, investiture struggle
Research status
Completed
Authors
Claussen, Peter Cornelius
PDF download
2D