Sixtus V

Felice Peretti (1521-1590) was born in Grottamare. He entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals when he was just nine years old, experienced a rapid rise within the Roman Curia, exercising important positions and offices. He was elected pope in 1585 under the name of Sixtus V, and had a brief but significant pontificate of only five years. His rigid and authoritarian government aimed to fight the corruption, bad habits and banditry that infested Rome and the surrounding territories. Not very respectful of the heritage dating back to classical antiquity, he had the Minerva of the Capitol converted into “Christian Rome” and above all demolished the Septizonium of Septimius Severus to use it as construction materials. He was behind, among other things, the completion of the dome of St. Peter’s, the erection of four obelisks and the construction of a new road that contributed to the redevelopment of the city: Via Sistina.