10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome (vol.1)
Rome can be proud of almost 1000 churches that make it the city with most churches in the world
Their history go along the Eternal City’s one since the dawn of time, marking its religious, social and artistic evolution. In this article We want to talk about a selection of the 10 most bizarre churches in Rome, selected for you for different reasons. In this first part we will deal with 5 of them. Enjoy your reading
1 of 10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome
The Church of Gesù
The first church built for the Society of the Jesuits in the mid 16th century and considered the Mother Church of the Jesuits, Gesù is a Barogue gem and one of the “pinnacles” of Baroque in the world. A massive facade, imposing, rich in architectural elements, dominating the entire square that creates a sort of wing around the church. To say the least noteworthy, the central fresco of the central nave vault is ideated with an extraordinary prospective effect. The altar is definitely impressive due to the wealth of gold and other precious materials such as: lapis lazuli, marble, alabaster, crystal. Created by Vignola, this church full of mysticism not far from Largo di torre Argentina, is well worth visiting during trips to Rome.
2 of 10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome
Jubilee Church
“The crown jewel of the Vicariato di Roma’s Millennium project” presents a very distinctive and extremely modern design that will literally amaze you. Without a doubt one of the most interesting churches of the Capital, referring to its originality and modernity. It is constituted of curved walls which look like sails, that serve to minimize thermal peak loads in the interior space and are made from a special cement, which contain titanium dioxide, in order to destroy air pollution. Located in Tor Tre Teste suburb, it revives all the area. To design this work, american architect Meier was selected in 1996, among others celebrated architects such as Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava.
3 of 10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
In the very heart of Rome, near the Pantheon, rises one of the major churches of the Roman Catholic Order of Preachers at Rome. Eternal City churches are mostly Baroque or Paleochristian, so a church with Gothic and Renaissance elements is pretty bewildering. Nonetheless it is very charming, the church is almost unknown by tourists and locals as well. This rare example of Gothic architecture in Rome was built on ancient ruins (maybe a Minerva temple) around XII Century BC and presents plenty of domes and precious works of art. Worthy a visit also the tombs of the Popes of the House of Medici and the inestimable Aldobrandini’s chapel. Don’t go away without cherishing the amazing statue of Christ, started by Michelangelo in person.
4 of 10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome
Mausoleo di Santa Costanza
Santa Costanza is a 4th-century church in Rome on the Via Nomentana that, according to the traditional view, was built under Constantine I as a mausoleum for his daughter Constantina. This ancient church boasts the record to be the first preserved example of a centrally planned building with ambulacro and one of the cornerstones of late antiquity architecture. Singular and impressive it enjoys a peculiar luminosity and magnificent mosaics that date back to IV century AD. An extra anecdote about Santa Costanza? It is very sought-after by young couple as the chosen place to get married…there’s must be a reason for that.
5 of 10 Most Bizarre Churches of Rome
Santa Prassede
In the old town center of Rome there is another hidden treasure, few steps away from Santa Maria Maggiore. We are dealing with another ancient church with one major peculiarity: its Byzantine style reflected on its fascinating mosaics in the apse and arches. But it doesn’t end here, according to legend you can find here a piece of the flagellated column of Christ, brought in the Middle Ages from Constantinople. It was designed to house the bones of Saint Praxedes, hence the name and the main altarpiece, a canvas of the Saint. The cherry on the “church”? A Funerary monument of Bishop Giovanni by a very young Bernini.
