The Belvedere Courtyard in Vatican City is an extraordinary example of High Renaissance architecture. Designed by Donato Bramante in 1505 for Pope Julius II, the long two-tiered courtyard was meant to connect the Apostolic Palace at the bottom of the hill to the Villa Belvedere at the top using terraces connected by stairs. It was at the Villa Belvedere that Titian hosted Michelangelo when Titian visited Rome in 1545. Buona visita!