There are over 900 Christian churches in Rome and each one is like a museum. Of course, it is impossible to visit all the churches. In this section you can find descriptions of the most interesting and beautiful churches in our opinion.
Table of Content:
1. Origin of Christianity
1.1. Terms
2. Catholic Churches in Rome
2.1. Lateran Basilica
2.2. Lateran Palace
2.3. Basilica of St. Cosmas and Damian
2.4. Basilica of St. Clement
2.5. Santa Maria Maggiore
2.6. St. Peter’s Basilica
2.7. San Paolo fuori le Mura
2.8. Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (Il Gesu)
2.9. San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
2.10. Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza
2.11. Sant’Agnese in Agone
2.12. Santa Maria della Concezione
2.13. Santi Apostoli
2.14. Santa Susanna
2.15. Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel)
2.16. Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
3. Orthodox Churches in Rome
3.1. Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr
3.2. Church of St. Nicholas
The Birth of Christianity
The Great Roman Empire in its time borrowed a religious model from the civilization of the Ancient Greeks. A whole pleiad of deities, their assistants and offspring migrated from ancient Greece straight to Roman Olympus, changing only their names. After 8 centuries, philosophers and nobles lost faith in their gods. By the end of the 1st century AD, Christianity was born in the depths of a prosperous empire.
Representatives of the Jewish people, presented the multinational state with a new religion based on the belief in the One God. Gradually Christianity began to spread among other peoples of the empire. By the III century, the new faith, which covered the minds of the subjects of Caesar, was forbidden.
However, already in 313 Constantine the Great signed the Edict of Milan, proclaiming tolerance to the Christian faith. Soon the foundation stone of the Lateran Basilica was laid, the oldest Christian church to survive to this day.
Terms
By the end of the fourth century, paganism was forgotten and Christianity became the official religion. Temples and sanctuaries of ancient deities were urgently destroyed or rebuilt for the needs of the new faith. Continuing centuries of established traditions, the servants of the church received at their disposal basilicas (Greek βασιλική) – “royal houses”.
This type of construction is characterized by the shape of an elongated rectangle with an odd number of aisles (usually 3, rarely 5). Another distinctive feature of a basilica is the absence of an explicit dome. In addition to a purely architectural term, in the Catholic Church “basilica” is also a special title.
The oldest and most significant for Catholics temples and cathedrals are honored by the Pope with the title of basilica of one of five degrees (archibasilica, great, papal, patriarchal and small).
Since the formation of Christianity, there has been an unspoken division into Western and Eastern branches. The first was the Catholic Church with the primacy of the Popes, and the second was Orthodoxy with the patriarchate in Constantinople. Centuries-old disagreements between the Latin and Orthodox churches on a number of church dogmas, led to the fact that in 1054, Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael Kerularius betrayed each other mutual anathema.
The Great Schism not only permanently divided Christians into Orthodox and Catholics, but also influenced all spheres, including the external appearance of church buildings. Thus, the image of basilicas to a greater extent began to inherit the Catholic architecture. In the Middle Ages, the Romanesque style evolved into Gothic, and later into Baroque and Rococo. In a general sense, a “temple” (orthodox chormъ) is a house in which there is an altar and church rites are performed.
Orthodox architecture found its own model of church – “cathedral” (dr.slav. sobory). Derived from the Old Slavonic “gathering”, i.e. a place for gathering, a cathedral is the main church of a settlement, where services and rites take place. It is the cathedrals that are characterized by the Byzantine domed manner of construction and the pronounced cruciform shape of the buildings.
Catholic Churches in Rome
Since the Catholic faith (Latin Catholicismus – “universal”, “one”) originated and grew strong in Rome, most of the city’s churches are Catholic churches and cathedrals. The oldest and most titled churches of Rome are located on the territory of the capital and city-state Vatican. The pontiff spared no expense on their decoration, restoration and maintenance, so the capital’s churches are a breathtaking sight.
Lateran Basilica
Rome’s main cathedral, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) was laid out as early as the 4th century. One of the first Christian churches is an “archibasilica”, which houses the papal throne and pulpit. In its exterior and interior decoration, this cathedral has preserved many elements of the early Christian era. The medieval design of the facade carefully hides the ancient mosaics from precipitation and direct sunlight.
The interior of San Giovanni in Laterano is full of paintings on the theme of Genesis and the acts of the Apostles Paul and Peter. Inside the temple are richly decorated chapels that house the tombs of pontiffs and famous citizens of Rome.
Address: Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Lateran Palace
The abode of the pontiffs, located next to the Lateran Basilica, was erected in the fourth century. Until the beginning of the XIV, the palazzo fulfilled its role until the pontificate was moved to Avignon in France. After several reconstructions, it has the typical appearance of Italian Renaissance palaces.
In modern times, the Lateran Palace (Palazzo del Laterano) houses one of the Vatican Museums.
The Catholic Holy of Holies, or Capella Sancta Sanctorum, is especially revered by visitors. The chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence contains the tombs of the popes. Many relics were moved from the Holy of Holies to the Lateran Basilica. Of the valuables remaining in the chapel, a 6th century non-manual icon with the face of Jesus is prized. Also preserved are frescoes from the 13th century and sacred gifts sent from Constantinople in the 8th century.
Address: Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
The basilica (Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano) is dedicated to two twin brothers from Arabia, Cosmas and Damiano, martyr healers who in 303 were among the first victims during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian.
Amazing is known for preserving in its plan the architectural structures of the imperial period of Rome and the magnificent mosaics of the 6th century, which is considered a masterpiece of early Christian art.
St. Clement’s Basilica
The Basilica di San Clemente is primarily interesting as a true historical and archaeological monument. The foundation of the building was laid back in the I century AD by the consul Titus Flavius Clement, who was related to the Caesars.
In times of persecution of Christians, the noble Roman secretly sheltered adherents of the faith, including St. Peter. In the fourth century, the estate was converted into an ancient Christian church. The modern facade of the church is a striking example of Romanesque architecture characteristic of the twelfth century.
Из реликвий, хранящихся в базилике, особо почитаются: мощи Святого Климента, одного из первых христианских епископов, священномученика Игнатия Богоносца. Старинная католическая церковь расположена неподалеку Латеранской базилики и Колизея (Colosseo).
Адрес: Via Labicana, 95
Santa Maria Maggiore
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore), founded in the 5th century AD on Rome’s Esquiline Hill. The Catholic church is dedicated to St. Mary. The exterior style is a combination of austere Romanesque and more luxurious Rococo. A tall bell tower rises above the church.
The interior of Santa Maria Maggiore is impressed by the early Christian mosaics, the rich decoration of the naves, and the magnificent chapels where pontiffs and famous Italians are laid to rest.
Address: Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42
St. Peter’s Basilica
Собор Святого Петра (Basilica di San Pietro) в Ватикане входит в число четырех патриарших базилик вечного города, обладает солидными размерами и торжественным убранством. Официально заложенный в первой половине XVII века, кафедральный собор находится на том месте, где по старинным преданиям, в I столетии н.э. был захоронен святой Петр.
К созданию грандиозного храма приложили руку выдающие средневековые архитекторы: Донато Браманте (Donato Bramante), Рафаэль (Raffaello Santi), Джан Лоренцо Бернини (Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini) и Микеланджело (Michelangelo Buonarroti).
In front of the magnificent white-washed facade of the cathedral there is a large circular square. On the days of major church festivals, as well as on special occasions, ceremonies with the participation of the Pope take place within the walls of the cathedral. The cathedral and the square together can accommodate up to 460 thousand parishioners.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Città del Vaticano.
San Paolo-fuori le Mura
The Cathedral of St. Paul (Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura), the Great Papal Basilica, as measured by the Emperor Aurelian (3rd century AD) is located outside the ancient walls of the Italian capital. The church was built by Constantine the Great on the site of the supposed burial place of St. Paul. The vast building is decorated with antique columns. Of great interest is the gallery filled with portraits of the pontiffs.
Over the past centuries, the temple was repeatedly subjected to looting and fires. The mosaics of the 5th century and some elements of the interior decoration have survived. Most of the interior was recreated during the large-scale reconstruction in the XIX century. During excavations under the main altar an ancient stone tomb was discovered, where the relics of the Apostle Paul allegedly rest.
Address: Piazzale San Paolo, 1
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (Il Gesu)
The main temple of the Jesuit order is dedicated to the name of the son of God, and therefore its short name is the Church of Gesu (La chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesu). The small white building is nestled in the historical center of Rome. The temple was built in the 16th century by the famous architect Giacomo della Porta, an adherent of flamboyant mannerism.
Visitors are particularly impressed by the painted ceilings of the nave and domes of the church. The characters from the Bible and the Holy Scriptures are so skillfully made that they look three-dimensional.
Address: Via degli Astalli, 16.
San Carlo alle Cuatro Fontane
The medieval church of St. Charles at the 4 Fountains (San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane), built by the architect Francesco Borromini for the canonization of Cardinal Carlo Borromeo.
The silhouette of the temple as well as its exterior decoration are filled with graceful lines and ornate strokes of Baroque style. The building is crowned with a high oval dome, decorated from the inside with stucco with a geometric pattern. The interior is dominated by white color and baroque stucco.
Interestingly, the Church of San Carlo is located near the Via delle Quattro Fontane (Street of Four Fountains), decorated with 4 Renaissance fountains from the 16th century.
The address is Via del Quirinale, 23.
Just a hundred meters away at Via del Quirinale, 30, is another unusual church, Sant’Andrea al Quirinale by Bernini.
Sant’ivo Alla Sapienza
The Chiesa di Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza was built in the seventeenth century to be consecrated in honor of Saint Ivo of Breton, intercessor of the Jesuit order. The author of the project was Borromini, who gave the building an opulent baroque design. The church has a hexagonal shape with rounded edges, unusual for Catholic churches.
Sant’Ivo is a single architectural ensemble with the arched arcade of the Universita degli studi di Roma La Sapienza (University of Roma La Sapienza).
Inside the church, the white color and exquisite decoration typical of Borromini reign supreme. The high dome of the church is covered with intricate stucco.
Address: Corso del Rinascimento
Sant’Agnese in Agone
The church consecrated in the name of St. Agnese of Rome (Basilica Sant’Agnese in Agone) was built in the XVII century by Girolamo Rainaldi. The final form of the temple was given by Borromeo, so the facade of the building combines Mannerism and Baroque. The interior of the temple is full of marble bas-reliefs. A special atmosphere is created by the painted dome. The sarcophagus of Pope Innocent X is kept in the chapel.
The Basilica of St. Agnes stands in Piazza Navona, a square rich in other Rome landmarks.
Address: Piazza Navona / Via S. Maria dell’Anima 30/A
Santa Maria della Concezione
The 17th-century Catholic church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, belonging to the Capuchin order, is modest in size and simple in appearance. Inside the church you can admire paintings by Michelangelo da Caravaggio, Pietro da Cortona and Domenichino.
The crypts of the Capuchin Church are particularly awe-inspiring. Six underground rooms contain decorations made from the remains of monks. About 4,000 servants of God who died between the 16th and 19th centuries were moved from the Roman cemetery to the crypt. The chilling decorations of skulls and bones were made by the ministers of the order.
Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 27.
Santi Apostoli
The Catholic Church of the Holy Apostles (Santi Apostoli), founded in the 6th century AD, where the apostles James and Philip were originally honored. Over the centuries, the name of the church changed to the Holy Apostles or the 12 Apostles.
The three-nave Romanesque basilica was substantially renewed in the XVIII century. The disciple of the great Bernini, Carlo Fontana, transformed the modest church into a majestic Baroque building.
In the interior, the tombs of Pope Clement XIV by Cannova and Cardinal Pietro Riario stand out. There is also a fresco by Domenico Muratori entitled “The Martyrdom of St. Philip and St. James”.
Address: Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, 51.
Santa Susanna
The modest church Chiesa di Santa Susanna alle Terme di Diocleziano was built in the 5th century on the site of the martyrdom of St. Susanna of Rome. The church building has been rebuilt several times. It is noteworthy that the current facade of the church is considered one of the first examples of the Baroque style. Inside, the church is richly decorated with decorative panels and sculptures. The main altar is decorated with paintings depicting St. Susanna.
Santa Susanna is currently the main Catholic church for US citizens.
The address is Via 20 Settembre, 14
Castel Sant’Angelo (St. Angelus Castle)
Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient historical monument with an intricate fate. The squat rounded monument was built on the banks of the Tiber in the II century A.D. Emperor Hadrian intended to use the structure as a family mausoleum. In the VI century the tomb acquired its present name, by the will of Pope Gregory I, who saw an angel descending to the dome of the mausoleum.
During the Middle Ages, the pontificate made extensive use of the mausoleum for its own needs, including secret travel between the Vatican and Rome. By the 16th century, the castle had been converted into a veritable fortress, where Pope Clement VII hid from Spanish forces. The Castel Sant’Angelo later became a dungeon for the defenders of the capital.
Nowadays the monument has preserved part of the ancient structures of the mausoleum, which were reconstructed by the Vatican in the XV-XVI centuries. Modern relics of the castle include ancient urns with the ashes of Caesars, the Angel’s Court (XV century), loggias, halls and apartments belonging to the popes of the medieval era. Among other things, the terrace of the castle offers a magnificent view of the Eternal City.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50.
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
The Basilica of Maxentius (Basilica di Massenzio di Costantino) or New Basilica was once the largest Christian temple in Rome. The idea of building a basilica in 312 visited the emperor Maxentius, who soon fell at the hands of his successor – Constantine. The building had an unprecedented height of about 40 meters and an impressive area of 4,000 square meters.
The main decoration of the basilica was a large statue of Emperor Constantine. The church is now part of the ruins of the Roman Forum (Forum Romanum).
Address: Clivo di Venere Felice, Foro Romano
Orthodox Churches in Rome
The Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr
The Russian Church in Rome (Chiesa di Santa Caterina Martire), located within the walls of Villa Abamelek, which is the Russian Embassy in Italy. This Orthodox church was built in 2009, although funds for its creation began to be collected in the times of Tsarist Russia. Construction began in 2001, and in May 2009 it was lit in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine.
Inside the church, the frescoes and carved iconostasis made by representatives of the Moscow Theological Seminary stand out. The Orthodox Church is rich in valuable relics: relics of saints, in particular Catherine, a piece of the Holy Cross of the Lord. The Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Address: Via del Lago Terrione, 77.
St. Nicholas Church
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Chiesa Ortodossa Russa di San Nicola Taumaturgo) in Rome is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Rome, and in all of Italy.
The church was planned to be built at the beginning of the XIX century, but found its permanent address in 1931. For the needs of Russian believers was allocated a palace, formerly owned by Chernysheva, which was eventually consecrated in honor of the wonderworker Nicholas.
The church is decorated with a gilded iconostasis of the XIX century, decorated with the faces of the Great Martyr Catherine and St. Tsarina Elena. Particularly valuable shrines: the icon of the Mother of God, painted by monks from the holy Mount Athos. Icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Alexander Nevsky, the face of the Savior and the Mother of God. A cross with holy relics enclosed in it, donated by King Christopher Gergievich.
Address: via Palestro, 69/71
