The Jesuit Church of Sant' Ignazio

Map

Sant' Ignazio

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The 17th century church of Sant' Ignazio is dedicated to St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), the Spanish soldier turned priest who was founder of the Order of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. 

Sant' Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio, to give the church its full name, was funded by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi (1595-1632). Work began in 1626 four years after the canonisation (March 12th, 1622) of Ignatius by the cardinal's uncle, Pope Gregory XV (r. 1621-23). Both cardinal and pope are interred in the church. 

The church of Sant' Ignazio boasts a truly stunning fresco in the vault of the nave, the work of Fra Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709). 

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Decoration above the main door

Interior