San Eligio degli Orafi
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Open from 10 am to midday. Sunday closed.
This little sanctuary, which was built in 1509 on a design of Raphačl and renovated in the 17th century, is one of the purest expressions of the Renaissance. ...
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Chiesa Nuova
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Open from 8 am to midday and from 4.30 pm to 7 pm.
On the wishes of St. Philippe Neri (one of the main actors in the Counter-Reform) the walls were originally painted white. However the walls were repainted and you can now admire the splendid Baroque decoration, with the marvellous paintings of Peter de Cortone.
In the heart of historic Rome, the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, known as the Chiesa Nuova, the legacy of the life and work of St. Philip Neri, welcomes you.
With its beautiful works of art and a peaceful atmosphere, it is an island of tranquillity away from the noise and traffic of the city.
Through the following pages, we would like to show you how this complex o ...
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Santa Maria del Popolo
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On the right of the Porta Flaminia, you will find the S. Maria del Popolo, erected on the site of the antique tombs of the Domicians and of Nero. Originally, it was a small chapel that was later enlarged. And it was only in the 15th century that Sistius IV gave the church a Renaissance style, enriched further in the 16th century by Bramante and Raphačl, and in the 17th century by Bernini.
The churches facade is one of the best examples of architecture from the beginning of the Renaissance. ...
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Santa Maria in Trastevere
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Open from 7.30 am to 1 pm and from 4 to 7 pm.
Founded in the 3th century, it was the first church dedicated to the Virgin. In the 4th century the pope Julius I made it into a basilica, and it was transfomred again in he 9th century. While the actual building dates from 1130-1143, the most recent modifications were added in the 17th and 18th century. It is noted for its beautiful mosaics. ...
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Santa Maria Maggiore Church
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Open from 7 am to 6.30 pm.
The basilic was built on the Esquiline Hill in the 5th century. Sometimes the basilica is called S. Maria della Neve (of the Snow). This is a reminder of the basilica that was built by pope Liberius after the vision he had of a snowfall sent by the Virgin in full summer, on the place where she wished a church to be built was confirmed.
Its main facade was added in the 18th century, preserving the 13th century mosaics of the earlier facade.
A typical testimoniance of first Christian art.
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Sant'Ivo Chapel
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It is open on Sunday morning from 9 to midday, before and after the mass. It is closed during July and August.
This beautiful chapel was erected by Borromini in 1660. The spiral dome is the most striking feature of this Baroque masterpiece. It is an example of architecture which went beyond the standard rules of the Renaissance. Sant'lvo Chapel is considered the most perfect creation of its style and therefore became the most convincing precursor. ...
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Mausoleum of St. Costance
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Originally, Santa Costanza was the mausoleum of Constantina and Helene, the two daughters of Constantine. Later, it was transformed into a baptistery, and in the 8th century into a church. The mausoleum dates from 350 AD and is perfectly preserved. In 1254 it was transformed into a church. Don't forget to admire the 4th century mosaics in the gallery, the oldest ones that have been preserved.
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San Giovanni in Laterano
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Open from 7am to 6 or 7 pm depending on the season.
The basilic San Giovanni in Laterano is the first church of the catholic world and the most majestic one. The popes lived in Laterano until 1309, the year of their exile in Avignon.
As the first christian basilic, she has become the architectal model for all early christian churches. In the course of its history, this beautifully decorated church had to sustain the plundering of the Vandals and the Normans, as well as terrible earth-quakes, before being completely destroyed by the fire of 1308. After its reconstruction, in 1650, pope Innocent XI encharged the baroc architecture Borromini to redesign completely the basilic. The beauti ...
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Santa Maria in Cosmedin
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Open from 9 am to midday and from 3 pm to 5 pm
This little church was built in the 6th century on the remains of an old Roman complex with arcades. Enlarged in the 8th century, it became the church of the Greek refugees in Rome. Cosmedin is the Greek word for "ornament", which explains the actual name of the church. During restorations in the 12th century, the bell-tower (7 levels), known as the most beautiful in Rome was added.
In the portico you will find the famous bocca della veritŕ, mouth of the truth, which has a weight of 1300 kg and which represents the God of the Ocean. You will see people queuing to put their hand in the mouth of the stone. The legends says that if you tell a ...
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Saint Peter's Basilica
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Saint Peter's Basilica: Open from 7 am to 6 pm (9 pm in summer). Basilica San Pietro was constructed over a period of more than 150 years and is the largest church in the world. This astonishing church contains many world renouned art works. Because of the enormity of the church and its wealth of artistic treasures, and because its construction spans historical periods, this church and its huge piazza have earned a section by themselves.
On the place were the church now stands, there was once the Circo Vaticano, built by Nero. It was in this stadium that St Peter and other Christians were martyred between 64 and 67 AD. The body of the saint was buried in an anonymous grave next to the wall ...
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San Clemente church
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Open from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.30 pm to 6 pm. Sunday from 10 am.
This church shows how history in Rome exists on many levels. The actual basilic dates from the 12th century and offers the famous colourful mosaics on its apse, illustrating Jesus' crucifixion.
This basilic, dedicated to Saint Clement, was built on another one dating from the 4th century. It was used as a hidden place for chrisitian to celebrate their masses.This church, in its turn, replaced insula, appartments of ancient times (1st century), which contained a temple of Mithras.
This church is more than worthwile visiting since it is possible to go down (three levels) and discover all the hidden surprises. U ...
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Canopy of Saint Peter's Basilica
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The huge Baroque canopy which stands 29 metres high in the centre of the church is an extraordinary work of art by Bernini. ...
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Santa Maria della Pace
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Santa Maria della Pace is a splendid piece of architecture in the middle of a place which has been decorated as a theatre. It was designed by Peter de Cortone in 1656. The design of the place is influenced by the classicism. ...
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Santa Maria sopra Minerva
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Open from 7 am to midday and from 4 pm to 7 pm.
This church was founded in the 8th century on the remains of a temple dedicated to Minerva. Unfortunately the church was damaged by poor quality renovations in the 19th century.
This is why the importance of the church is limited to its fabulous content: the Chapel Carafa with its fresques of Filippino Lippi; Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque tombs; paintings and sculptures. ...
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Santa Maria in Via Lata
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Admire its elegant facade designed by the famous Baroque architect, Peter de Cortone. The whole building appears to be supported by columns which can provide splendid lighting effects. ...
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San Luca e Martina
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In the 7th century BC a church was built in memory of the tortured Martine. From 1588 people also honoured Saint Luc there.
In 1634 a sarcophage with the remains of Saint Martine was discovered. Cardinal Fransesco Barberini asked Peter de Cortone to built a new church on top of the old one.
This church is one of the masterpieces of the Baroque architecture that can be found in Rome. ...
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