Santa Maria in Trastevere

Welcome to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest and most beloved places of Christian worship in Rome. We stand in the heart of the charming Trastevere district, on a site that has potentially hosted…

Before we enter the church itself, take a few minutes to explore the portico. This space, designed by Carlo Fontana, acts as a bridge between the ancient Roman past and the Baroque present. …

Step inside and let your gaze travel down the magnificent nave. This central aisle is characterized by its lofty proportions and the twenty-two massive granite columns that march toward the altar. …

The culmination of the nave is the magnificent apse, adorned with some of the most beautiful mosaics in all of Rome. The central scene, dating from eleven forty-three, shows Christ and the Virgin Mary enthroned together under the…

To the left of the choir lies the Altemps Chapel, a space filled with sixteenth-century frescoes and a very special treasure. The chapel was commissioned by Cardinal Marco Altemps, a nephew of Pope Pius the Fourth. …

In the left aisle, we find a startling contrast to the medieval and Renaissance art we have seen so far: the Avila Chapel. This is a Baroque masterpiece designed by Antonio Gherardi in the late seventeenth century. …

We return to the center of the church to admire the high altar and its remarkable canopy, or baldacchino. Crafted by Virginio Vespignani, this structure is a beautiful blend of ancient and contemporary aesthetics. …

Our journey through Santa Maria in Trastevere concludes here, in the golden glow of its eternal mosaics. We have walked past the ancient inscriptions of the portico, through the avenue of Roman columns, and into the divine…

Our journey through Santa Maria in Trastevere concludes here, in the golden glow of its eternal mosaics. We have walked past the ancient inscriptions of the portico, through the avenue of Roman columns, and into the divine…