The decoration of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament was undertaken by the three titans of the Roman Baroque, Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), Francesco Borromini (1599-1667) and Pietro da Cortona (1596-1669).
Borromini designed the beautiful wrought-iron gates, bearing the coat of arms of Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623-44), through which we enter the chapel.
Tabernacle
There we see the gilded bronze tabernacle, the work of Bernini, which he modelled on the lines of the Tempietto by Bramante.
Pietro da Cortona’s contribution takes the form of the altarpiece, a depiction of TheTrinity, which is the only oil painting in the entire basilica.
Vault
The richly decorated vault was created by Giacomo Perugino to designs by Pietro da Cortona.
The altar on the right wall is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. The altarpiece is a copy of TheEcstasy of St Francis by Domenichino. The original painting is in the church of Santa Maria della Concezione.
Organ
On the left wall is an organ with a richly carved and gilded 16th century case.