Santi XII Apostoli

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Map of the Churches of Rome

Santi XII Apostoli

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The ancient church of Santi XII Apostoli (Twelve Holy Apostles), better known as Santi Apostoli, was founded by Pope Pelagius I (r. 556-61). It was restored and enlarged during the 15th century and almost completely rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century by Carlo Fontana (1638-1714), at the behest of Pope Clement XI (1700-21). 

Facade

The grand facade of Santi Apostoli is a mixture of styles. The double loggia is attributed to Bacio Pontelli (c. 1450-92) and was built at the expense of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (later Pope Julius II, r. 1503-13). The Baroque windows were added (c. 1665) by Carlo Rainaldi, who also designed the balustrade, on which stand statues of Christ and the Apostles. ​

Christ Flanked by Two Apostles

Each of the pedestals is inscribed with a single letter; Christ, for example, stands above the letter O. But what is the meaning of the thirteen letters: F. L. D. L. C. S. O. T. C. E. C. V. B.? 

The work was paid for by Cardinal Lorenzo Brancati (1612-93), who was the chief librarian at the Vatican. The cardinal wanted his patronage to be publicly recognised, but he knew that a full-blown inscription on the facade of the church would not be acceptable. And so Cardinal Brancati came up with something more subtle: 
F(rater) L(aurentius) D(e) L(aureolo)  C(onsultor) S(ancti) O(fficii) T(heologus) C(ardinalis) E(piscopus) C(ustos) V(aticanae) B(ibliothecae]. In translation: Brother Lorenzo de Laureolo, Advisor, Theologian of the Holy Office, Cardinal, Bishop, Guardian of the Vatican library. 

Inscription

​The Neo-classical upper facade was added in 1827 by the Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier (1762-1839). It was paid for by Giovanni Raimondo Torlonia (1755-1829), Duke of Bracciano, and banker to the Holy See. Unlike Brancati, Torlonia is clearly commemorated in the inscription on the frieze, which reads: IOANNES DVX TORLONIA FRONTEM PERFECIT AD MDCCCXXVII.​

Portico

Bas-relief of an Eagle From Trajan's Forum

In the left wall of the portico is the tomb (1807) of the engraver Giovanni Volpato (1735-1803), the work of his much more famous pupil the sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822).

On the right wall is a 2nd century bas-relief of an eagle and an oak-wreath, which was unearthed in Trajan's Forum. ​

Nave

Nave

The cavernous interior of the church is distinguished by an exceptionally broad nave. 

Vault

The fresco in the centre of the ceiling is a late work by Giovanni Battista Gaulli (1639-1709), better known as il Baciccia, and depicts the Triumph of the Order of St Francis (1707).

Sanctuary

Apse

The altarpiece in the sanctuary depicts the Martyrdom of St Philip and St James (1704). Thought to be the largest in Rome (14 m by 6.5 m), it is the work of Domenico Muratori (1661-1744).

The Fallen Angels by Giovanni Odazzi

In the vault above the high altar is a fresco of The Fallen Angels by the Roman painter Giovanni Odazzi (1663-1731). ​

Funerary Monument to Pietro della Rovere

The sanctuary is home to the beautiful funerary monument of Pietro della Rovere (1445-75), the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV). The tomb has been attributed to the sculptor Andrea Bregno (1418-1506) and Mino da Fiesole (1429-84).​

Funerary Monument of Pope Clement XIV

At the end of the north aisle is the funerary monument (1783-87) to Pope Clement XIV (r. 1769-74), the first important work in Rome by the Neo-classical sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822). ​​​

Chapel of St Anthony

Chapel of St Anthony of Padua

The third chapel in the right aisle, which is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua, is the Odescalchi family chapel (their palazzo is on the other side of the piazza). ​

Memorial to Prince Baldassare Odescalchi

The chapel was created by Prince Baldassare Odescalchi as the burial place for himself and his family, as stated in the inscription of the grand pavement memorial.

Counter-facade

Plaque to Pope Clement XI

The entrance is surmounted by a large plaque to Pope Clement XI (r. 1700-21), who requested the rebuilding of the church.

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