Church Santa Maria del Popolo Rome
Church Santa Maria del Popolo is situated on the north side of Piazza del Popolo. It is between Porta del Popolo and the Pincio hill. It is also very close walking distance from the Flamini Metro station.
This is a beautiful and stunning church to visit with some incredible architecture to see.
Andrea Bregno designed the Church Santa Maria del Popolo. It was built in 1477. The church houses many noteworthy works of art. It includes Rome’s oldest stained-glass windows made by French artist Guillaume de Marcillat. Unfortunately it is not accessible but you can see it behind the high alter.
Enjoy the amazing artwork from several famous artists, architects and sculptors. Including Raphael, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Andrea Bregno, Guillaume de Marcillat and Donato Bramante. There are two famous paintings by Caravaggio. In the Cerasi chapel is where will you find ‘The Crucifixion of Saint Peter’ and ‘The Conversion of Saul’. The sheer physicality of the figures is quite breathtaking. The paintings are in a no photo zone in the church. You have to deposit coins to activate the lights to view them. However there are a few Bernini sculptures that are well lit and you are able to take pictures of them.
In the first chapel on the right, you can see some wondrous frescoes by Pinturicchio from the mid-15th century
The Chigi Chapel, just on the left when you enter the church. It has mosaic-decorated panels between gold painted stuccos. It was designed by Raphael and completed by Bernini. He included the sculptures Habakkuk and the Angel and Daniel and the Lion. Of course, anyone who’s read Angels & Demons by Dan Brown knows this sculpture is the first marker, with the Angel in the statue pointing the way to the next clue. It was amazing to see, it won’t disappoint you.
The tombs of Cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Girolamo Basso della Rovere can also be found in the apse.
There’s a chilling skeleton mosaic on the floor of the chapel. It is known as the ‘demon’s hole’. There are effigies in the floor of brass bones and skulls. A grim reaper mosaics, a caged skeleton in the wall to the left as you enter.
Church Santa Maria del Popolo often goes unnoticed because of its unassuming location and its rather simple Baroque style facade by Bernini.
Overall, the Church Santa Maria del Popolo is a marvelous church to visit.
After visiting this church, you can visit the delightful Piazza del Popolo. See the impressive very old obelisk fountains found on the east and west ends of the square. Also go and check the two ‘twin’ churches (Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto) on the south side of the piazza.
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Phone number: +39 06 361 0836
Address: Piazza del Popolo, 12, 00187 Rome, Italy
The church is open daily from 7am to 12pm, 4pm to 7pm, except Sunday & Holy Days of Obligation from 8am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 7:30pm.
Admission is free. When entering you need to be mindful of the shoulders and knees being covered.
The church lies on Piazza del Popolo. When you walk up the stairs towards the Pincio you are very near to: Villa Borghese Park, Galleria Borghese and Bioparco di Roma (zoo).
If you cross the Villa Borghese Park you’ll hit the Roman Walls and Via Veneto.
Via del Corso connects with Piazza del Popolo, where Church Santa Maria del Popolo stands, and if you walk straight down it you’ll reach Piazza Venezia and it’s nearby attractions.
If you stop half way when in Via del Corso, you can visit the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain. From Via del Corso you can also walk towards the Pantheon.
