The construction of the Belvedere courtyard was the initiative of Pope Julius II and Bramante, who wanted to connect an old Papal palace on the right side of St. Peter. Pope Julius was a fine collector of statues when he was still a cardinal, and after his election as pope he carried all his collection to the Vatican. Belvedere was one of the places that contained the many collections of Pope's sculptures and started to make the place more attractive and popular.