San Nicola in Carcere

Map of the Churches of Rome
Church of San Nicola in Carcere, Rome
San Nicola in Carcere
Of ancient foundation, the 16th century titular church of San Nicola in Carcere is built into the remains of three ancient temples, which stood in what was once the Forum Holitorium (Vegetable Market). 

The church covers the middle temple completely and incorporates the lateral colonnade of the temples on each side. The three temples, which date back to the first century BCE and the first century CE, were dedicated to Janus, Spes and Juno Sospita. 

In 1599, San Nicola in Carcere was remodelled by Giacomo della Porta (1532-1602), at the behest of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini. The church's campanile, which was originally a fortified tower belonging to the Pierleone family, was left unchanged.
Bas-reliefs, Facade, San Nicola in Carcere, Rome
Inscription on Facade
The inscription on the facade reads: PETRVS · S · R · E · DIA · CARD · ALDOBRANDINVS (Peter Aldobrandini, Cardinal Deacon of the Holy Roman Church). The oculus is flanked by a pair of panels with bas-reliefs, the one on the left depicts St Nicholas, the pair on the right have been identified as two third-century martyrs, St Mark and St Marcellian. ​
Interior of church of San Nicola in Carcere, Rome
Nave
​The interior comprises a nave and two side aisles. The columns are antique. 

The paintings in the nave depict scenes from the life of St Nicholas and are the work of Marco Tullio Montagna (1594-1649). 
Nave Ceiling, San Nicola in Carcere, Rome
Nave Ceiling
The ornate wooden coffered ceiling in the nave was installed in 1868 and sports the coat of arms of Pope Pius IX (r. 1846-78).