Santa Maria di Loreto
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Santa Maria di Loreto Our Lady of Loreto
26 Piazza Madonna di Loreto 00187 Roma Tel. 06 67 92 235
Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. History
An earlier church on the site was given to the Confraternita dei Fornari, the Guild of Bakers, in 1500 by Pope Alexander VI. It was very small, and they had it demolished a few years later to use the site for a bigger church. Construction of the Renaissance church started in 1507, led by Antonio da Sangallo the younger,and was finished by Jacopo del Duca.
It is served by diocesan clergy. Exterior
The dome is crowned by an ususual lantern, known as the 'cricket's cage', designed by Giacomo del Duca in 1582.
On the entrance tympanum is a sculpture group by Andrea Sansovino, The Virgin and Child and the Blessed House of Loreto, made in 1550. Interior
The interior has an octagonal floorplan within the square building, with semicircular chapels in the oblique sides and a deep sanctuary.
The dome has frescoes by Cesare Mariani.
The 15th century altarpiece by Antoniazzo Romano (sometimes attributed to Marco Palmezzano) depicts the Madonna with St Sebastian and St Roch. The altar is by Gaspare de Vecchi, made in 1628, although it is sometimes attributed to Onorio Longhi. It was modified in 1867 by Luca Carimini.
The side walls were decorated by Cavaliere d'Arpino in 1630, and shows scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
There are six statues in the church. Four of angels are by Stefano Maderno. The statue of St Susanna was made by François Duquesnoy, a Flemish sculptor, in the years 1629-1633. It became a model for many 17th and 18th century sacred sculptures. The last depicts St Cecilia, and was made by Giuliano Finelli.
A shrine to St Expeditus can be seen inside the sanctuary, on the left side. The inscription on the cross he carries says 'Hodie' ('Today'), while he tramples on 'Cras' ('Tomorrow').
In the first chapel on the right is a mosaic by Paolo Rossetti, made in 1594.
The second chapel on the right is decorated by Niccolò Circigniani. Special notes
The feast of Our Lady of Loreto is celebrated on 10 December. Another important feast in the church is the Annunciation of Our Lord on 25 March.
