Of ancient foundation, the church of Santa Maria in Via was built between 1491 and 1513, at the behest of Pope Innocent VIII (r. 1484-92).
The church was granted to the Order of the Servants of Mary, better known as the Servites, by Pope Leo X (r. 1513-1521).
Monogram of the Servites, Stained Glass Window
The beautiful monogram of the Servites, which takes the form of the letters 'S' and 'M' intertwined, is emblazoned in two stained glass windows. The Order was founded in 1233 when a group of seven Florentine merchants retired to Monte Senario, which lies a short distance to the north of the city, to lead a life of poverty and penance.
Facade Inscription
The facade was designed by Giacomo della Porta (1532-1602), but completed by Carlo Rainaldi (1611-91) in 1681. The inscription proclaims: DEO · IN · HON · MARIAE · VIRGINIS · MATRIS · DEI · DD · A · MCCLVI (Dedicated to God in honour of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, 1256).
High Altar
The single nave has four chapels on each side.
The fresco in the vault depicts The First Mass of St Philip Beniziby Giovanni Domenico Piastrini. Philip Benizi de Damiani (1233-85), a Florentine, was one of the founders of the Servites.
The spectacular high altar (1758) contains a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows (1763) by Ferdinando Raggi.
Chapel of the Well
The first chapel on the right celebrates the miracle of the Madonna del Pozzo (Madonna of the Well). The chapel is built over a well, which was once part of a stable yard belonging to Cardinal Pietro Capocci. On the night of September 26th 1256, the well suddenly overflowed. The horses were disturbed and the servants rushed out to find an icon of the Virgin Mary floating on the water. Pope Alexander IV (r. 1254-61) declared the event to be a miracle and ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to the image.
The 13th century icon makes up the altarpiece. It is painted on a terracotta tile, which is why the fact that it floated on the water in the well was regarded as miraculous. The chapel is also decorated with paintings of The Annunciation, The Adoration of the Magi and The Nativity by Cavalier d'Arpino (1568-1640). The painting to the right depicts Cardinal Capocci Receiving the Icon and is of the school of Caravaggio. The vault frescoes depicting The Coronation of the Virgin (1946) in the centre are by Michelangelo Bedini.
The well is still in operation and water from it continues to be imbibed by the faithful.