Sant'Angelo in Pescheria
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Sant' Angelo in Pescheria | |
|---|---|
| | |
| English name: | Holy Angel in the Fishmarket |
| Dedication: | Michael the Archangel |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Clergy: | Clerics Minor Regular |
| Built: | 755 or 770 |
| Architect(s): | |
| Artists: | |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | Portico d'Ottavia |
Sant'Angelo in Pescheria is a church dedicated to St Michael the Archangel.
[edit] History
The church was built in the ruins of the Portico of Octavia in 755 or 770.
The appellation in Pescheria (Latin in Foro Piscium) was added in the 12th century when a fishmarket was established in the portico. In the 16th century, the Confraternity of Fishmongers adopted it as their church.
In the Catalogue of Turin, it is listed as a cardinalitial diaconal title, with eight clerics.
In 1347, Cola di Rienzo gathered his forces here before he seized power in Rome. His place of birth is close to the church.
It was rebuilt in the 15th century, and redecorated in the 17th century.
In the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII issued a decree that forced the Jewish population to hear Christian sermons in this church on Saturdays. This continued for more than 200 years.
The church is served by the Clerics Minor Regular, who moved here from San Lorenzo in Lucina.
[edit] Exterior
The vestibule of the ancient portico forms the porch of the church.
There are remains of 13th century frescoes of St Michael, the Blessed Virgin and St Paul on the entrance arch.
By the entrance, there is a plaque on the wall. It explains that the head and the body up to the first fin of any fish larger than the plaque was to be given to the city magistrates. The fish collected was probably used in the soup kitchens providing food for the poor. This "tax" was in place until 1798.
[edit] Interior
There is a detached fresco of the Madonna.
The angels are painted by the school of Benozzo Gozzoli.
