Sant' Alfonso de' Liguori
​all' Esquilino

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Sant' Alfonso de' Liguori all' Esquilino

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Sant' Alfonso de' Liguori all' Esquilino was the last new church to be built within the walls of Rome before the suppression of the Papal government by Italy in 1870. The dedication is to St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787), who founded the Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer), better known as the Redemptorists, in 1732. 

Sant' Alfonso de' Liguori, which is a convent and titular church, was designed by the English architect George Wigley and built between 1855 and 1858. The facade is crowned with the inscription: COPIOSA APUD EUM REDEMPTIO (With Him is the Fullness of Redemption), which is the motto of the Redemptorists. 

Bas-relief of angels and a copy of the icon of the Madonna of Perpetual Succour

The main entrance is surmounted by a bas-relief of angels and a mosaic copy of the Madonna of Perpetual Succour. 

Nave

The interior of the church comprises a nave and two aisles. Each aisle has three small chapels. ​​

Apse

The triumphal arch of the sanctuary has an image of the Coronation of Mary as the Queen of Heaven, the work of Eugenio Cisterna (1862-1933). 

​The arch leading to the apse has an inscription: REDEMISTI NOS DOMINE IN SANGUINE TUO ET FECISTI NOS DEO NOSTRO REGNUM (You have redeemed us, Lord, in your blood; And you have made us a kingdom to our God).

Icon of the Madonna of Perpetual Succour

The church is home to an ancient Greek icon (14th/15th century) of the Virgin and Child, which is known as the Madonna of Perpetual Succour. The icon is enshrined above the high altar. 

Chapel of St Alphonsus

The chapels in the right aisle are dedicated to St Teresa of Avila, St Joseph, and the Holy Family; while in the left aisle they are dedicated to St Francis, the Immaculate Conception, and St Alphonsus. The five statues and the one bas-relief are by the German sculptor Caspar von Zambusch (1830-1915). 

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