The church of Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano (The Most Holy Name of Mary at Trajan's Forum) was built between 1736 and 1741 by the French architect Antoine Derizet (1685-1758).
Dome
It has often been described as a dome with a church rather than a church with a dome.
Lantern
The church belongs to the Confratenita del Santissimo Nome di Maria, which was established in 1688. The Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary was instituted by Pope Innocent XI (r. 1676-89) following the victory of the Austrian-Polish armies over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna, which took place on September 12th 1683. September 12th was duly designated the day of the feast.
Interior
The layout of the interior is slightly elliptical, with six side chapels.
High Altar
The high altar comprises an ancient icon of the Virgin and Child encircled by a spectacular glory (1750) of stucco angels, putti and gilded rays, the work of Andrea Bergondi.
Icon
The pair of bronze double-headed eagles on the main pilasters flanking the sanctuary are emblems of the Hapsburg Empire, whose capital Vienna was.
Dome
The large dome is of the same dimensions as the space below. The eight tondi in the cupola depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.