Santa Maria dell'Umiltà is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

HistoryEdit

The church was built 1641-1646 for a community founded by the widow Francesca Baglioni of Perugia. She was the daughter of Catharina de Medici and niece of Pope Clement VII, and had been married into the Orsini family. The community was founded on the Rule of St Francis of Sales. Pope Paul V sent three monks from the monastery Santa Maria Maddalena on the Quirinal to introduce the community to Dominican precepts. The architect was Paolo Marucelli.

Changes were made around 1680 by Carlo Fontana.

In 1853, the convent complex was given to the North American College, which is still there, by Pope Pius IX.

ExteriorEdit

The façade was designed by Carlo Fontana in 1680, on orders from Pope Innocent XI. It was somewhat

modified in 1853, but remains more or less as it was in the 17th century. Above the entrance is a bas-relief by Vincenzo Felici.

InteriorEdit

The Baroque marble and stucco decorations are by Carlo Fontana, made 1710, and were paid for by a nun from a wealthy family. The interior was completed by Alessandro Dori in 1737.

In the ceiling is a painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Michelangelo Cerruti, painted 1726.

There are sculptures by Antonio Raggi in the niches along the sides.

The largest chapel was designed by Martino Longhi the Younger in 1640-1646, and has reliefs of St Mary Magdalena and St Catherine of Alexandria by Francesco Cavallini.

At the second altar on the left is a depiction of St Michael the Archangel by Francesco Allegrini.

The organ is one of the most beautiful in Rome.

Special notesEdit

The church is always closed to the general public. It is possible to arrange a visit through the North American College.