Chiesa Nuova o Santa Maria in Vallicella

This church has had two names ever since San Filippo Neri gained pope Gregorio XIII's permission to rebuild a new church on the same site as the medieval Santa Maria in Vallicella. Work started towards the end of the sixteenth century and the finer details, such as the facade, were finished nearly one hundred years later. Great artists have contributed to the adornments, including Borromini with his Oratory, and Pietro Da Cortona's frescoes in the vault, dome and apse. The chapels are an art-lover's paradise with masterpieces by Rubens, Carlo Saraceni, Barocci and others. The chapel dedicated to San Filippo Neri is covered in valuable marble, semi-precious stones and mother-of-pearl. Neri's relics rest beneath the altar. The interior of the church was decorated only after Neri's death, according to his wishes.

Copyright © 1999-2006 wcities.com All rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

• Attraction Type: Religious Buildings

• Add to MY Places