Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria del Popolo (41)
It is said that the remains of Emperor Nero are buried beneath the foundations of this church. This is due to the fact that in the Middle Ages the legend started that a tree that grew over the spot where the famous emperor was buried was cursed. It is said that crows flew over the spot, which represented the demons that tortured Nero for all the crimes he had committed. This tree was cut down when the first of the churches was built here, in 1099, with the aim of putting an end to this legend. Since then, several constructions have been built on the same site.
The church currently standing here was built in 1475, on the site of a small chapel built by Paschal II and paid for by the people, hence its name.
The major interest of Santa Maria del Popolo can be found in its rich interior. Firstly, you will find the Capella Della Rovere, the first nave on the right. This chapel contains the tombs of the cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Girolamo Basso della Rovere. You can also see frescos by Pinturicchio.
Another not-to-be-missed chapel is the Capella Chigi, created by Raphael Sanzio, where you will find some original tombs in the form of a pyramid. The mosaic on the cupola is based on works by Raphael, and the two statues, Habakkuk and Daniel, are the work of Bernini. In the choir windows, above the monuments, there are two fire-painted stained-glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat which are unique in Rome.
Finally, you can visit one of the main attractions of this church: the Capella Cerasi, to the left of the main altar. This chapel houses paintings by two of the most important Baroque artists. So do not hesitate in taking in the sight of “The Conversion of Saint Paul” and “The Crucifixion of Saint Peter” by Caravaggio, and “The Assumption of the Virgin” by Carracci.
Buy your tickets now! No printing, no waiting!
Santa Maria del Popolo
Buy now Marvel of Renaissance art and architecture with works by Caravaggio and RaphaelFind out more about our project I want more!
ALL POINTS OF INTEREST
Ara Pacis Augustae (42)
Baths of Caracalla (92)
Circo Massimo (90)
Forum Boarium (86)
Pantheon (46)
Piazza Navona (54)
Santa Maria Maggiore (21)
Via Condotti (38)
Arco di Constantino (11)
Campidoglio (3)
Colosseum - Description (10)
Imperial Forums (7)
Piazza and Porta del Popolo (40)
Piazza Venezia (50)
Trastevere (75)
Villa Borghese (44)
Aventino (91)
Domus Aurea (13)
Il Ghetto (88)
Palazzo della Cancelleria (65)
Piazza di San Ignacio (52)
San Clemente (14)
San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura (99)
San Pietro in Vincoli (12)
Santa Maria del Popolo (41)
Santa Maria in Cosmedin (89)
Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura (100)
Santi Quattro Coronati (15)
Terme de Diocleziano (23)
Catacombs of San Callisto (96)
Fontana delle Tartarughe (61)
Isola Tiberina (82)
Palazzo Farnese (63)
Pincio (39)
San Crisogono (84)
San Luigi dei Francesi (57)
San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura (97)
Santa Maria della Concezione (35)
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (47)
Sant'Agostino (58)
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza (59)
Testaccio (87)
Cimitero Acattolico (93)
Gianicolo (80)
Palazzo Altemps (55)
Pasquino (56)
Ponte Sant'Angelo (74)
San Francesco a Ripa (85)
San Paolo Fuori le Mura (98)
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere (81)
Santa Maria della Vittoria (24)
Santa Prassede (19)
Sant'andrea al Quirinale (28)
Santo Stefano Rotondo (16)
Via Veneto (32)
Complesso di San Michele a Ripa (83)
Il Gesù (49)
Palazzo del Quirinale (27)
Piazza Barberini (34)
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (29)
San Giovanni in Laterano (17)
San Pietro in Montorio (79)
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (18)
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (51)
Santa Pudenziana (20)
Sant'Andrea della Valle (66)
Teatro di Marcello (62)
Barracco Museum (64)
Montemartini Museum (94)
Palazzo Corsini (78)
Vatican Museums - Pius-Clementine Museum (72)
Capitoline Museums (4)
Museo e Galleria Borghese (45)
Palazzo Doria Pamphili (48)
Vatican Museums - Rafael Rooms (70)
