Church of Santa Maria del Popolo

The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo was erected over the secret burial place of emperor Nero, in 1099. The church was an attempt to sanctify what was considered an unhealthy place. Legend had it that the site was haunted by Nero’s ghost and demons taking the form of black crows. So the walnut tree they perched on was cut down and the church built in its place

Four hundred or so years later the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo was renovated by Pope Sixtus IV. The outside is very plain and unremarkable, but the glory is saved for the elaborate interior. The stained glass windows in the Capella della Rovere were the first in Rome.

This Augustinian church houses some of the best Renaissance art of any church in Rome. It boasts work by Raphael, Bramante and Caravaggio.

The apse was designed by Bramante and ranks as one of his first works in Rome.

Raphael designed the Capella Chigi but he never lived to see its completion. Bernini completed this work for him. the famous sculpture of Habakkuk and the Angel and the prophet Daniel.

The Capella Cerasi is considered the highlight of this church with two works by Caravaggio. These are notable for their dramatic use of light and the characterisation he painted into the subjects of Saints Peter and Paul. The altarpiece is by Carracci.

Related posts:

• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
• Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
• The Scala Santa (Holy Staircase)
• Porta del Popolo
• Museo e Galleria Borghese