Santa Maria in Via Lata

Map of the Churches of Rome
Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Santa Maria in Via Lata
Of ancient foundation, the present church of Santa Maria in Via Lata was largely created in the 17th century. 

The beautiful facade and loggia were added by Pietro da Cortona (1596-1669). The dedicatory inscription reads: DEIPARAE · VIRGINI · SEMPER · IMMACVLATAE · M · DC · LXII (To the God-bearing Virgin Always Immaculate 1662).

The elegant bell tower was designed by Martino Longhi the Elder (1534-91) and built in 1580.  
Interior, Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Nave
The richly ornate interior was designed by Cosimo Fanzago (1591-1678), a Neapolitan architect and sculptor.

Unusually for a 17th century church in Rome, the choir stalls are situated in front of the sanctuary instead of behind the high altar.
High Altar, Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
High Altar
The conch of the apse has a fresco of The Assumption of Mary by Andrea Camassei (1602-49). Apparently the work originally depicted God the Father, but was later altered to depict the Virgin Mary. 
Fresco by Viviano Codazzi, Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Fresco by Viviano Codazzi
The amusing trompe l'oeil fresco in the ceiling above the choir is the work of Viviano Codazzi. ​
Icon of Virgin Mary, High altar, Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Icon
​Over the high altar, in a very elaborate frame, is an ancient (12th century) and much venerated icon of the Virgin Mary, which is inscribed: FONS LVCIS STELA MARIS (Font of light, Star of the sea). It is signed Petrus Pictor.
The altar is flanked by two funerary monuments, one to Giovanni Battista D'Aste and the other to his wife Clarice Margani. The fine gilded bronze busts are by Giuliano Finelli (c. 1602-53) and Andrea Bolgi (1605-56). 
Wooden Ceiling, Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Nave Ceiling
The central panel of the gilded and ornate wooden ceiling of the nave depicts The Coronation of the Virgin Mary (1650) by Giacinto Brandi (1621-91).
Relief by Cosimo Fancelli, Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome
Relief of St Paul, St Peter and St Like by Cosimo Fancelli
Beneath the church are the remains of an ancient Roman building, some 250 metres long, which is thought to have been a warehouse. It is said that this was once the house of St Luke and that St Paul was kept here under guard after his arrival in Rome. In the room that was converted into a chapel, there is a beautiful marble bas-relief by the sculptor Cosimo Fancelli (c. 1620-88), depicting St Peter, St Paul and St Luke. ​