<P> In 1377, the return of the Pope from the Avignon Papacy and the re-establishment of the Papal court in Rome, brought wealth and importance to that city, as well as a renewal in the importance of the Pope in Italy, which was further strengthened by the Council of Constance in 1417 . Successive Popes, especially Julius II, 1503--13, sought to extend the Pope's temporal power throughout Italy . </P> <P> In the early Renaissance, Venice controlled sea trade over goods from the East . The large towns of Northern Italy were prosperous through trade with the rest of Europe, Genoa providing a seaport for the goods of France and Spain; Milan and Turin being centers of overland trade, and maintaining substantial metalworking industries . Trade brought wool from England to Florence, ideally located on the river for the production of fine cloth, the industry on which its wealth was founded . By dominating Pisa, Florence gained a seaport, and also maintained dominance of Genoa . In this commercial climate, one family in particular turned their attention from trade to the lucrative business of money - lending . The Medici became the chief bankers to the princes of Europe, becoming virtually princes themselves as they did so, by reason of both wealth and influence . Along the trade routes, and thus offered some protection by commercial interest, moved not only goods but also artists, scientists and philosophers . </P> <P> The return of the Pope Gregory XI from Avignon in September 1377 and the resultant new emphasis on Rome as the center of Christian spirituality, brought about a boom in the building of churches in Rome such as had not taken place for nearly a thousand years . This commenced in the mid 15th century and gained momentum in the 16th century, reaching its peak in the Baroque period . The construction of the Sistine Chapel with its uniquely important decorations and the entire rebuilding of St Peter's, one of Christendom's most significant churches, were part of this process . </P> <P> In wealthy republican Florence, the impetus for church - building was more civic than spiritual . The unfinished state of the enormous cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary did no honour to the city under her patronage . However, as the technology and finance were found to complete it, the rising dome did credit not only to the Blessed Virgin, its architect and the Church but also the Signoria, the Guilds and the sectors of the city from which the manpower to construct it was drawn . The dome inspired further religious works in Florence . </P>

In comparison with gothic architecture medieval italian churchs tended to be more