From Churches of Rome Wiki

Santa Maria della Pietà in Camposanto Teutonico Our Lady of Mercy in the German Cemetery Piazza del S. Uffizio (Camposanto Teutonico) 00193 Roma (C. di Vaticano)

Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. History

The church is attached to the Camposanto Teutonico, the German cemetery in the Vatican City. The site belonged to the Schola Francorum, a hospice for German-speaking pilgrims which was the oldest German institution in Rome.

Cinstruction started in 1450, under Pope Nicholas V, funded by the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy.

During World War II, it was damaged by a bomb. The bomb was dropped by an Italian plane painted with German identification marks, as part of a scheme the fascists had cooked up. It was intended for San Pietro in Vaticano, but for some reason - either an error made by the bombardier or reluctance to bomb the world's greatest cathedral - it hit this church in the shadow of the basilica instead. The church has been reconstructed, which will be obvious to the visitor.

Further restoration was carried out in 1972, when it was largely returned to its original form.

The church is served by German clergy. Exterior

The main point of interest here is the German cemetery. It was established so that Germans who died in Rome could rest among the martyrs. Dignitaries from other countries in northern Europe are also buried here.

In the Piazza dei Protomartiri Cristiani in front of the cemetery there is a bronze plaque marking the original site of the obelisk in Piazza San Pietro. Be careful if you look for it - there is quite a lot of traffic in and out of the Vatican at times.

The church is connected to the German College.

The bronze door was made by E. Hillebrandt. Funds for the door and the windows were donated by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany. Interior

The interior of the church clearly shows its main purpose - to be used in funerals at the German cemetery. The recurring subject it death, with skeletons grinning from every corner.

The windows were made by G. Miestermann.

Above the high altar is a painting of The Deposition by Macrino d'Alba. Special notes

It is possible to visit the church, but it is probably best to make arrangements ahead of your visit. As it is inside the Vatican City, you can't simply walk in. I've only been there in the company of a priest who knew what to say to the Swiss Guards so that they would let us in right away, but it might be more difficult under other circumstances.