S. Pietro in Montorio (St. Peter on the Golden Mount)

As early as the 9th century, a church was built on this spot to mark where it was believed that St. Peter was crucified. We now know this to be a mistake which was made based on the misreading of a document. A new church was built in the late 15th century in early Renaissance style by Franciscans with the support of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, and the architect was Baccio Pontelli. The church, which sits next to the current Spanish embassy, was restored in 1849.

The first side chapel on the right contains the fresco, The Flagellation of Christ by Sebastiano del Piombo. Sebastiano was a contemporary of Michelangelo and paints the human form in a similar, sculptural and muscular style. The second chapel on the left depicts the ecstasy of St. Francis and was designed by Gianlorenzo Bernini. This piece is known for its dramatic use of light and dark or chiaroscuro.