SANT’IGNAZIO DI LOYOLA IN CAMPO MARZIO

Description

Essentials about Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio in brief

If you are interested in frescoes, you should not miss a visit to the Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio (“Saint Ignatius of Loyola on the Field of Mars”). Located between the Pantheon and Via del Corso in the very heart of Rome, the Jesuit church is in fact famous for its outstanding perspective frescoes.

The history of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio

The name of the church derives from the founder of the Jesuit Order, Ignatius of Loyola, and the ancient Campus Martius. The church, which forms a building complex with the Palazzo del Collegio Romano, is located in the homonymous Piazza di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. This very impressive square, reminiscent of a theater setting, is an 18th century rococo ensemble. The reason for the construction of the church was the canonization of Ignatius of Loyola in 1622. The construction of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola was started in 1626 and finished in 1685 with the completion of the frescoes.

The architecture of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio

The church is one of the largest churches in Rome, with a room length of over 80 meters and a width of 43 meters, and is designed as a cross-domed structure. This makes the perspective frescoes, executed by the Jesuit painter Andrea Pozzo, particularly effective. The painting continues, so to speak, the architecture, through mock architecture and groups depicted floating, the view opens into the ceiling to infinity.

The interior of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio

The frescoes of the apse depict scenes from the life of St. Ignatius, the theme of the huge fresco above the central nave is the Apotheosis of St. Ignatius. The saint ascends to heaven above the four continents known at that time. A marble disc is embedded in the floor of the church, viewed from there (as the center of perspective) it is actually difficult to tell what is painting and what is real architecture. The fresco is considered one of the boldest works of illusionist painting. The painting in the dome is also illusionistically executed, trying to hide the fact that the planned dome was never built.