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Santa Maria della Pietà Our Lady of Piety

Via del Portica de'Ottavia

Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. History

The church is also known was S Gregorio della Divina Pietà and S Gregoria a Ponte Quattro Capi. According to legend it was built on the site of St Gregory the Great's birthplace. The first name refers to the congregation that has owned the church since the 18th century (see below), and the second to the Ponte Quattro Capi, the Bridge of Four Heads, which is named after the four marble statues standing on it.

It is first recorded in the 12th century.

It was rebuilt by Pope Benedict XIII (1724-1730) in 1727, and given to the Congregazione degli Operai della Divina Pietà, the Congregation of the Works of Divine Piety. The congregation assisted aristocratic families who had fallen upon hard times. Exterior

The church faces the Ghetto, and on its 18th century façade by Filippo Barigioni can be seen a reproach to the Jews. The text of Isaias 65.2 is written in both Latin and Hebrew: "All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and faithless nation". It has been left as a reminder of less tolerant times. The simple façade has two stories. The lower is divided by two pilasters, and has a doorway surmounted by the mentioned inscription, which was added as late as 1858. Above the inscription is an oval field with a cornice, with a fresco of The Crucifixion by Stefano Parrocel.

The façade is crowned by a curvilinear tympanon. Interior

The church has a single nave with an apse. The last major restoration was carried out in 1858. The ceiling has a fresco by Giuseppe Sereni depicting The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

The high altar has an altarpiece by the English painter Gilles Hallet, depicting The Madonna of Divine Providence.

At the side altar to the left is a painting of The Death of St Philip Neri by Andrea Casali, and to the left one of St Gregory at the Table of the Poor by Stefano Parrocel. Special notes

Feasts of St Gregory the Great are celebrated on 12 March and 3 September.

Close to the church is the Jewish Synagogue, which was built in the early 20th century.