San Marcello al Corso

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Map

San Marcello al Corso

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San Marcello al Corso is a 16th century convent and titular church. It is dedicated to Pope St. Marcellus (r. 308-9), who, according to legend, was forced by the emperor Maxentius to work in the stables of the imperial postal service until he died of exhaustion.  

'St Philip Benizi Refusing the Papal Tiara' by Antonio Raggi

The late Baroque façade (1682-1686) was designed by the architect Carlo Fontana (1638-1714) and is considered to be one of his finest works. The beautiful bas-relief depicting St Philip Benizi Refusing the Tiara is by Antonio Raggi (1624-86). It recalls the legend that the saint was elected pope, but did not consider himself worthy of being the Vicar of Christ. 

The statues of Pope St Marcellus and St Philip Benizi, in the upper storey, are by Francesco Cavallini (1640-1703). The allegorical statues of Faith and Hope, which recline on the split pediment above the entrance, are also thought to be the work of Cavallini. 

Nave

The interior comprises a single nave with five chapels on each side. The painting in the apse depicts The Apotheosis of Pope St Marcellus. 

14th Century Wooden Crucifix

The fourth chapel on the right is dedicated to the famous 14th century wooden crucifix, which was the only item to survive the fire that, on the night of May 22nd 1519, completely destroyed the church. The preservation of the crucifix was considered miraculous, and devotion to it increased enormously in 1522 when an epidemic stopped just when a penitential procession was held with it. 

Nave Ceiling

​The wooden ceiling (1592-94) was designed by the architect Carlo Francesco Lambardi (1545-1619). The central coffer has a carved relief of the Immaculate Conception. 

Pulpit

The beautiful pulpit was designed by Giovanni Mattia de Rossi and executed by Carlo Torriani in 1673. The angel is by the Roman sculptor Pietro Paolo Naldini (1619-91).

Funerary Monument to Giovanni Andrea Muti by Bernardino Cametti

The second chapel on the right is the Cappella Muti Bussi, which is dedicated to St Digna and St Emerita, two Roman virgin martyrs. The side walls sport a spectacular pair of matching funerary monuments. On the left is the monument to Giovanni Andrea Muti.  

Funerary Monument to Maria Colomba Vincentini

On the right wall is the monument to Maria Colomba Vincentini. Both monuments are the work of the sculptor Bernardino Cametti (1669-1736). 

Funerary Monument to Cardinal Camillo Merlini Paolucci

The fifth chapel on the right is the Cappella Paolucci.  On the left wall is the funerary monument of Cardinal Camillo Merlini Paolucci by Tommaso Righi (1727-1802). 

Funerary Monument to Cardinal Fabrizio Paolucci

On the right wall is the funerary monument of Cardinal Fabrizio Paolucci by Pietro Bracci (1700-73). 

All three sculptors (Cametti, Bracci and Righi) were born in Rome. 

Funerary Monument to Cardinal Giovanni Michiel & Bishop Antonio Orso

At the bottom of the nave to the left of the entrance is a very impressive Renaissance double tomb. The lower effigy is of Cardinal Giovanni Michiel (died 1503), a nephew of Pope Paul II (r. 1464-72), and a generous benefactor of the Servites. Below his effigy is a pile of books, an allusion to his extensive library, which he donated to the friars. The upper effigy is Bishop Antonio Orso (died 1511), the cardinal's nephew. The monument, which has been attributed to Jacopo Sansovino, was commissioned in 1520 by Jacopo Orso da Chioggia, a nephew of Bishop Orso.

The funerary monument to the right of the entrance is to Cardinal Francesco Cennini de' Salamandri, 1645, by Giovanni Francesco Rossi. 

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