From Churches of Rome Wiki

Santa Maria dei Monti Our Lady of the Hills

41 Via della Madonna del Monti 00184 Roma Tel 06 48 55 31 Normally open Fri.-Sat. 07.00-12.00 and 17.00-19.30; Sun. and Holy Days of Obligation 8.30-13.30.

Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. History

The church, which is also known as the Madonna dei Monti, was built in 1580 to celebrate the discovery of a miraculous image of Our Lady in the ruins of a convent. It was designed by Giacomo della Porta, who was commission by Pope Gregory XIII. Work was continued by Carlo Lombardi and Flaminio Ponzi.

It's been a parochial church since 1824, served by diocesan clergy.

Since 1960, it has been a titular church. The present titular is H.E. Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila. Exterior

The façade, which was renovated 1991-1992, was inspired by Gesú. It has two rows of Corinthian pilasters that are connected with volutes. Above the door is a dedicatoryu inscription and votive niches. Interior

A venerated 15th century painting of the Madonna with Child with Sts Lawrence and Stephen, found in the ruins of a nearby convent of the Poor Clares, hangs over the high altar.

The apse is decorated by Giacinto Gimignani and Cristoforo Casolani.

The dome is very beautiful, especially if you happen to get just the right light. The frescoes of the four Evangelists were painted by Casolani. In the niches are the statues of the four major prophets of the Old Testament, made in 1599 by Giovanni Anguilla. In each of the eight sections there are depictions of scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin, made by several artists.

In the ceiling is another fresco by Casolani, depicting The Ascension, Angels and Doctors of the Church. In the vault and the arches of the chapels are stucco angels by Ambrogio Buonvicino.

The first chapel on the right is a painting of The Madonna with Child and St Charles Borromeus, and scenes from the life of St Charles Borromeus, by Giovanni da San Giovanni.

In the second chapel on the right are paintings of the Pietà and the Road to Calvary.

In the left arm of the transept, beneath an altar, is the tomb and effigy of St Benedict Joseph Labre, who died here in 1783. The effigy was made by Achille Albacini in 1892.

In the chapels on the left you can see Durante Alberti's Annunciation, Cesare Nebbia's Adoration of the Magi and The Dream of St Joseph and Girolamo Muziano's Nativity. Special notes

On April 26th each year, a copy of the painting of the Blessed Virgin is carried in procession through the streets. The feast of St Benedict Joseph Labre is celebrated on 16 April.