San Giacomo in Augusta

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Map of the Churches of Rome

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San Giacomo in Augusta, also known as San Giacomo degli Incurabili, is a 16th century parish, titular and former hospital church. The dedication is to St James the Great, while Augusta refers to the Mausoleum of Augustus, which lies close by.

The first sacred building here was a chapel attached to a hospital originally dedicated to the care of poor sick pilgrims, which was founded in 1339. The hospital remained in use until the beginning of the 21st century. 

Construction of the church began in 1592. The work was initially overseen by Francesco da Volterra assisted by Filippo Breccioli. However, he died and Carlo Maderno took over. Work was completed in 1600. 

The church boasts two bell towers, a novelty at the time. 

Dome

San Giacomo in Augusta was the first in Rome to be built on an elliptical plan. There are three chapels on each side. 

The fresco in the dome depicts The Apotheosis of St James by the Roman painter Silverio Capparoni (1831-1907).

The High Altar

The high altar was designed by Carlo Maderno. The altarpiece of The Trinity, c. 1860, is by Francesco Grandi. It depicts God the Father and the Holy Spirit accompanied by angels; the Son is in the tabernacle below.

Bas-relief by Pierre Le Gros

The bas-relief altarpiece in the central chapel on the right (Cappella dei Miracoli) was made in 1716 by the French sculptor Pierre Le Gros. It depicts St Francis of Paola (1416-1507), the founder of the Order of the Minims, praying to an actual painting of the Madonna and Child, which is built into the composition. 

Cappella dei Miracoli

The painting is said to have miraculous powers, hence the name of the chapel, It is said that a woman whose child fell into the river, prayed to an image of the Madonna on the city walls, not far from the church of Santa Maria del Popolo. The child was saved and the image of the Madonna was transferred to a newly-built chapel near the river. Its close location to the river put it at risk from the regular floods and so it was once again relocated to the church of San Giacomo in Augusta.

St James by Ippolito Buzzi

The central chapel on the left is dedicated to St James. The statue of St James by Ippolito Buzzi (1562-1634). 

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