Santa Maria in Montesanto

---

Map

Santa Maria in Montesanto

---

In 1662, Pope Alexander VII (r. 1655-67) ordered a pair of churches to be erected on the south side of Piazza del Popolo to provide a grand backdrop to the square from the viewpoint of anyone entering through the Porta del Popolo. One of the churches is Santa Maria in Montesanto, the other is Santa Maria dei Miracoli. They are often referred to as the 'twin' churches.

The 'Twin' Churches

Cardinal Girolamo Gastaldi put up a large sum of money in exchange for being commemorated in the decoration of the two churches. The first architect was Carlo Rainaldi, who planned two identical circular buildings. Unfortunately, Pope Alexander died in 1667 and his successors had little interest in the project. Work stopped for four years but resumed in 1671 under Carlo Fontana, who finished it in 1673 in time for the Jubilee of 1675. (Santa Maria dei Miracoli was completed three years later.) The change of the ground plan from circular to elliptical may have been suggested by Bernini. 

At first glance the two churches seem to be identical in design, but this is not the case. For instance, the dome of Santa Maria in Montesanto is dodecagonal not octagonal. The lanterns are also subtly different, as are the bell towers. 

The facade is dominated by the portico, which bears a dedication to Cardinal Gastaldi. The ten statues on the roofline depict Carmelite saints (the church originally belonged to the Carmelite Order). 

Interior

The entrance of the church is on the main axis of the ellipse. To each side are three chapels. The six chapels are separated by gigantic Corinthian pilasters supporting an entablature, which runs around the entire church. On this the dome sits; there is no proper drum. The four statues are by Filippo Carcani, also known as Il Filippone, who did much of the rest of the stucco decoration. 

Over the entrance to the sanctuary is the coat-of-arms of Cardinal Gastaldi, flanked by a pair of stucco angels. The high altar was designed by Mattia De Rossi; the painter of the altarpiece is unknown. The bronze busts to either side of the altar depict Pope Alexander VII (r. 1655-67), Pope Clement IX (1667-69), Pope Clement X (r. 1670-76) and Pope Innocent XI (1676-89). They are the work of Girolamo Lucenti. 

Dome Interior

Santa Maria in Montesanto is known as the ‘Chiesa degli Artisti’. It gained this sobriquet as a result of its proximity to the artists' quarter, which, following the building of the Spanish Steps, grew up in this area. Artists would use the Spanish Steps to exhibit their works. Models would also congregate at the bottom of the steps in the hope of getting work. 

In the absence of a neighbourhood church, Santa Maria in Montesanto performed this function for the artistic community. ​

---