Of ancient foundation, the church of Santa Maria in Via Lata owes its present appearance to a major renovation, in the middle of the 17th century, by the architect Cosimo Fanzago (1591-1678).
The beautiful facade and loggia were added by Pietro da Cortona (1596-1669). The dedicatory inscription reads: DEIPARAE VIRGINI SEMPER IMMACULATAE MDCLXII (To the God-bearing virgin, always immaculate, 1662).
The elegant bell tower was designed by Martino Longhi the Elder (1534-91) and built in 1580.
The decoration of the interior is spectacular in its richness. Over the high altar, in a very elaborate frame, is an ancient (12th century) and much venerated icon of the Virgin Mary, which is inscribed: FONSLVCISSTELAMARIS (font of light, star of the sea). It is signed Petrus Pictor.
Beneath the church are the remains of an ancient Roman building, some 250 metres long, which is thought to have been a warehouse. It is said that this was once the house of St Luke and that St Paul was kept here under guard after his arrival in Rome. In the room that was converted into a chapel, there is a beautiful marble relief by the sculptor Cosimo Fancelli (c. 1620-88) depicting St Peter, St Paul and St Luke.
Interior
Relief of St Paul, St Peter and St Like by Cosimo Fancelli