Bramante, << brah MAHN tay, >> Donato (1444-1514), was an architect and painter of the Italian Renaissance. Bramante’s most famous building is the small circular temple called the Tempietto (1502), at the church of San Pietro in Montoria. The church marks the spot in Rome where, according to tradition, Saint Peter was crucified. Bramante also developed the original designs for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and designed the Vatican’s Belvedere Courtyard (1505-1513).
Bramante was born near Urbino. After living in Milan for a time, Bramante settled in Rome in 1499. There he studied ancient Roman ruins. Because of his wide knowledge of ancient architecture, he was employed as an architect by Popes Alexander VI and Julius II.
