The Church of St Ignatius of Loyola at Campus Martius (also known as Sant’Ignazio Church) is a baroque style Catholic church built between 1626 and 1650, and is famous for the fresco of Andrea Pozzo that stretches across the nave ceiling painted circa 1685. The Church originally functioned as the chapel for the adjacent Roman College. It was built under the direction of Cardinal Ludovico Lodovisi after his uncle Pope Gregory XV suggested replacing the existing smaller church. The church has a Latin cross plan with numerous side chapels. The building is said to have been inspired by the Jesuit mother church, the Church of the Gesú in Rome. It is an incredibly impressive structure, the Corinthian pilasters that line the interior add to the dramatic grandeur of the church. The frescos that line the walls and roof relate to the works of St Ignatius, with Pozzo’s fresco showing the saint welcomed into paradise by Jesus, one of the many side chapels houses the relics of Saint John Berchmans. The Church of St Ignatius of Loyola is only a short walk away from the nearby Pantheon, and compared to the tourist throngs there this church is a welcome and peaceful respite.

GPS: 41.89911, 12.47976