Santa Maria in Montesanto
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Santa Maria in Montesanto | |
|---|---|
| | |
| English name: | Our Lady at Montesanto |
| Dedication: | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Denomination: | |
| Titular church | N/A |
| National church: | N/A |
| Built: | 1675 |
| Architect(s): | Carlo Rainaldi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Carlo Fontana |
| Artists: | |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | 197 Via del Babuino 00187 Roma |
Santa Maria in Montesanto
One of the twin churches of the Piazza del Popolo, dedicated to Our Lady.
Contents |
[edit] History
The twin churches were built on the orders of Pope Alexander VII after his predecessors had constructed the Piazza del Popolo. The first architect was Carlo Rainaldi, and work was continued by Bernini and Carlo Fontana. Santa Maria in Montesanto, on the left from the piazza, was not finished until 1675, 78 years after its sister church, the Santa Maria dei Miracoli. It was built on the site of an older church belonging to the Sicilian Carmelite order of the province of Montesanto.
[edit] Exterior
At first it seems identical to its sister church, but there are differences. Both have a portico with a classical tympanon, and are covered by a dome with fish-scale tiles. This church has an elliptical plan and a dodecagonal dome, while the other has a circular plan and an octagonal dome. The bell-towers are good examples of the Baroque style.
[edit] Interior
The group of sculptures known as the Mass of Artists, commemorating the Stations of the Cross, is the work of several modern Italian sculptors. Above the high altar is a 16th century icon of Our Lady of Montesanto, preserved from the former church on the site.
[edit] Special notes
11th July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is celebrated as the dedication feast of the church.
