The Churches of Rome

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
San Peter's Basilica - Basilica di San Pietro
Saint Peter was buried after martyring with other apostles in 64 AD. Pilgrims began to come and visit the shrine. Because of this, the Emperor Constantine after his conversion to Christianity, erected a Basilica on this very spot in 324 AD.In the course of centuries San Peter's Basilica under went many transformations until the moment in which the greatest artists of Renaissance gave it the aspect that we admire today.Carlo Maderno constructed the façade between 1606 and 1614. Twenty years later Bernini, certainly the greatest Baroque architect, was entrusted to reconstruct it; he had the superb idea of building the colonnade for the square, which like two arms stretch out themselves towards the believers. He solved with his brilliant mind the difficult relations among the dome, the facade and the square, exalting the significance of each element.For the visitor who enters in this San Peter's Basilica, the dominant feeling is that of an harmonious greatness notwithstanding the gigantic dimensions.It holds hundreds of precious work of art, some salvaged from the original 4th century basilica and other commissioned from Renaissance and Baroque artists.The Pietà was created by Michelangelo when he was only 25. It was sculptured for the Jubilee of 1500 AD. As usual, Michelangelo broke with the tradition for representing the Pieta'. To begin with, the Virgin is depicted as younger than her son and her facial expression is pensive and compassionate as if transfixed by an inexpressible grief. The Virgin contemplates the limp body of Christ, lying across her ample cloak.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
San Giovanni in Laterano, or St. John Lateran, is a church with an impressive past. The 'Lateran' part of its name is taken from a Roman family who owned property on this hill, before it was confiscated by Nero. After his conversion to Christianity, Constantine founded a church here in what had been his Lateran Palace.The principal, eastern, facade dates back to 1736 and is dominated by gigantic stone saints, gleaming white. This is one of the principal landmarks of the city, and can be seen from as far away as the Vittoriano monument, and also from the air (aeroplanes taking off from Ciampino frequently fly directly overhead). The more charming northern facade is older and was designed by Domenico Fontana in 1586. The view of the facade is a well-known one: it features in the opening sequence of the film Roman Holiday, and is also the backdrop to Italy's biggest concert, a free event every Primo Maggio (1st May).
The interior of the basilica, having endured countless changes over the centuries, is decorated in a rather heavy and unappealing style. The altar is supposed to contain the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul - if so, they have endured many vicissitudes, such as sackings and earthquakes.
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome. It was probably built in the early fourth century, although legend states that it was founded by Pope Callixtus I (whose remains are buried under the altar) in the 3rd century. The body of this Romanesque church dates from the 1100s. The 22 granite columns in the nave came from the ruins of ancient Roman buildings.
The façade was rebuilt by Carlo Fontana in 1702. Four Baroque statues above the portal depict Sts Calixtus, Cornelius, Julius and Calepodius. The mosaics are medieval, probably from the 12th century. It is thought that Pietro Cavallini restored them in the 13th century. The subject is the parable of the wise and the unwise maidens, with the Blessed Virgin in the centre. The maidens on the right side are not wearing crowns, and they have let their lamps burn out. The internal granite columns are from the 12th century rebuilding, and are reused columns from ancient buildings. They are thought to be from the Temple of Isis or the Baths of Caracalla, although this is uncertain. Look closely at their capitals, and you will see the heads of female pagan deities.

Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura

The first church here was, according to the Liber Pontificalis, built by Emperor Constantine and consecrated on November 18th 324. It was a small church, built over the grave of St Paul. Between 384 and 386, Emperors Valentinian II, Theodosius and Arcadius demolished the church and built a large basilica. The architect was Cyriades. According to the inscription on the triumphal arch, it was consecrated in 390 by Siricius, and completed in 395 under Emperor Honorius.Although heavily restored, not least after it was damaged by fire, the present basilica looks much the same as it did in the 4th century.
Pope St Leo the Great (440-461) started restoring the church. About 50 years later, Pope St Symmachus (498-514) ordered the reconstruction of the apse, which was unsafe. Several more restorations and changes were carried out, under Pope St Gregory the Great (the transept), Pope Sergius I (687-701; the roof and some rooms), Pope Hadrian I (772-795; the aisles and atrium) and Pope Leo III (795-816; the transept, roof and floor, and added apse mosaic).
Pope Leo XII was elected on 18 November 1823, and fortunately, decided to restor the basilica to its former glory rather than replace it with a new church in a more modern style. The first architect to lead the rebuilding was Pasquale Belli; Giuseppe Valadier had been appointed first but his plans for radical changes were eventually rejected and he was removed from the project in November 1825. Salvi, Paccagnini and Andrea Alippi were appointed as Belli's assistents.

Santa Maria del Popolo Church

A chapel dedicated to Our Lady was built here, over the Roman tombs of the Domitii family, by Pope Paschal II in 1099. It was financed by the people of Rome, which explains its appellation. Tradition claims that emperor Nero was buried on the slope of the Pincian hill by the piazza. In 1099, Pope Paschal II had his remains disinterred and thrown into the Tiber at the request of those who lived in the area. The chapel was built were the grave had been. It was enlarged and consecrated as a church by Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241). Baccio Pontelli rebuilt it between 1472 and 1479 on the orders of Pope Sixtus IV, making this one of the first Renaissance churches. He also had a monastery built adjacent to the church, and both were given to the Augustinian monks. It was in this monastery that Martin Luther stayed during his visit to Rome in 1511. Bernini carried out alterations to the façade and the interior in the 17th century, on orders from Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667). The Cappella Cerasi has two canvases by Caravaggio, the Conversion of Paul and the Crucifixion of St Peter, from 1601-1602. His realism gives the chapel an intense atmosphere. The Resurrection is by Annibale Carraci, painted 1601.
The venerated icon of the Blessed Virgin, known as the Madonna del Popolo, whish is enshrined at the high altar was given by Pope Gregory IX in 1231. It has until then been in the treasury of the Lateran. It is said to have been painted by St Luke, but is usually dated to the late 12th or early 13th century. The altar is from 1627. The story of Nero's grave is depicted at the arch above the high altar in gilded stucco relief.
Behind the sanctuary are the funerary monuments of Ascanio Cardinal Sforza, died 1505, and Girolamo Basso Cardinal della Rovere, died 1507, both by Andrea Sansovino.

Santa Maria Maggiore Church
The appellation of this church is confusing to many - it means that this is Rome's major or principal church dedicated to St Mary.
The first church here was founded c. 350 by Pope Liberius, and financed by a Roman patrician and his wife. They were childless, and had decided to leave their fortune to the Blessed Virgin. She appeared to them in a dream and told them to build a church in her honour. It lies on the summit of the Esquiline Hill, which was mainly laid out as gardens in ancient times. Legend claims that the plan of the church was outlined by a miraculous snowfall in August (possibly in 358). The legend is commemorated every year on August 5th, when white rose petals are dropped from the dome during the festal Mass.
The basilica is also known as Basilica Liberiana after the founder, and Santa Maria della Neve, Our Lady of the Snow, after the miracle; and as Santa Maria ad Praesepem after the relic of the crib (presepio). Pope Sixtus III had it restored, or more likely rebuilt, to commemorate the declaration of St Mary's Divine Motherhood by the Council of Ephesus in 432. The façade was designed in 1743 by Ferdinando Fuga. He used a strong chiaroscuro effect, a play on light and shadows. The mosaic behind the façade is from the 14th century, by Filippo Rusuti. The upper part shows Christ as Pantokrator (Ruler of All) and Teacher, in Byzantine style. He holds a book, which displays the text EGO SUM LUX MUNDI QUI, meaning "I am the light of the world who (takes away the sins of the world). To the sides of the central images are Our Lady, Apostles and saints. Closest to Christ are Our Lady on the left, and St John on the right.
Santa Maria in Ara Coeli Church
The holy building stands on top of the Capitol and it is of very ancient origins; indeed, it was erected on the temple of Juno Moneta and it was mentioned for the first time during the period of Gregory III with the name Holy Mother of God. In the 10th century it became a Benedictine abbey and in 1291 it was consecrated even if not finished. In 1979 the temple went through its worst period, it was deconsecrated, during Napoleon's occupation and used as a stable. Most of the ancient convent and the sacristy where destroyed in 1885 to make room for the Victorian. The façade made of fired bricks dates back to the 14th century, with three doors. Inside, it is divided into a nave and two aisles, with 22 columns, the golden ceiling portrays the Virgin Mary with Jesus. Amongst the pieces of art kept in the church, interesting are Giovanni Crivelli's tombstone by Donatello and Saint Bernard's Chapel frescoed by Pinturicchio.
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