Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome

Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome

Church of Santa Maria del Popolo is located just next to the northern gate of Rome on the elegant Piazza del Popolo. Apart from the beautiful location, the palace itself is truly beautiful with some splendid interiors. With a collection of beautiful paintings, a visit to the church will be a memory to cherish.

The history of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo dates back Piazza del Popolo. The reason behind building the church is somewhat drenched in myth. It is said that before building the church, the ghost of Emperor Nero haunted the site. As the locals complained about such unnatural sightings a walnut tree was chopped down as a measure to fix the problem and a church was built at the site. The original chapel was extended in 1227 and then again in 1472-77. The chapel also went under further renovation efforts in various ages.

The exterior of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo has not much to offer but once you get inside it is filled with an array of beautiful art works. As a visitor, you will be thrilled to see the paintings by some of the greatest artists such as Carracci, Pinturicchio, Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio. The interior of the church has predominantly Italian Renaissance style of the late 15th century. There are monumental tombs of Cardinal Girolamo Basso della Rovere and the Cardinal Ascanio Sforza within the church.

Other prominent exhibits of the church include Cerasi Chapel canvases of Caravaggio, frescoes by Pinturicchio, beautiful sculptures by Andrea Bregno. The church also has sculptures made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Raphael's mosaics Creation of the World had also been used to decorate the dome. Apart from these, the church also possesses many other beautiful items. It is a lifetime achievement for any visitor to witness so many masterpieces by different artists at one place.

The church is opened from Mondays to Saturdays from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon and then again from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On Sundays, the museum is opened from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm and again from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome