Sant' Apollinare alle Terme

Map of the Churches of Rome
Church of Sant' Apollinare, Rome
Sant' Apollinare
Of ancient foundation, the church of Sant' Apollinare alle Terme was rebuilt between 1742 and 1748 by the Florentine architect Ferdinando Fuga (1699-1782), at the behest of Pope Benedict XIV (r. 1740-58). 

Sant' Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine, to give the church its full name, is dedicated to St Apollinaris of Ravenna. Terme Neroniane refers to the ancient Baths of Nero, which once stood in the area.  
Vestibule, Sant' Apollinare Terme, Rome
Vestibule
On entering Sant' Apollinare one finds oneself in a large vestibule, which corresponds to the loggia of the earlier church. The vestibule is a liturgical space in its own right. The apse contains a 15th century miracle-working fresco of the Virgin and Child with Saints Peter and Paul. ​
Nave, Church of Sant' Apollinare, Rome
Nave
​The interior comprises a nave with three chapels on each side. 
High Altar, Church of Sant' Apollinare alle Terme, Rome
High Altar
The painting on the high altar depicts The Consecration of St Apollinaris as Bishop of Ravenna and is by Ercole Graziani (1688-1765). 
Stucco figures by Bernardino Ludovisi, Church of Sant' Apollinare alle Terme, Rome
Stucco Figures by Bernardino Ludovisi
The stucco figures above the high altar are the work of the Roman sculptor Bernardino Ludovisi (1693-1749). 
St Francis Xavier by Pierre Legros, Sant' Apollinare Terme, Rome
St Francis Xavier by Pierre Legros
The third chapel on the right is dedicated to St Francis Xavier. The very fine marble statue of the saint is by the French sculptor Pierre Legros the Younger (1666-1719). Note the large bronze crab to the bottom left. The story goes that St Francis Xavier lost a crucifix overboard while on a ship, but it was brought back to him by a crab, who appeared when the saint was standing on the beach after the voyage.