The Barberini Bees

A detail of the pavement of the Lateran Baptistery

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May 20th is World Bee Day, which celebrates the birth of Anton Janša, the Slovenian pioneer of beekeeping, who was born in 1734. 
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Thanks to the extensive patronage of Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623-44), Rome is home to hundreds of images of bees. Pope Urban VIII was a member of the Barberini family, whose coat of arms is made up of a triad of bees. The Barberini bees can be seen buzzing about all over the city, on churches, fountains, monuments and palaces.

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Stained glass window, Santa Maria in Aracoeli