The Deconsecrated Churches of Rome

The Deconsecrated
Churches of Rome

Here is a selection of some of the
deconsecrated churches of Rome.

Sant' Andrea degli Scozzese

Church of S. Andrea degli Scozzese, Rome

Sant' Andrea degli Scozzese

The 17th century church of Sant' Andrea degli Scozzese was once the national church of Scotland.

Entrance

The entrance is surmounted by a saltire cross and two fishes (a reference to St Andrew's trade). The adjacent building, which once housed the Scottish seminary, still sports the coat of arms of Scotland and the motto: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT (No one attacks me with impunity).

Oratorio del Sant' Andrea dei Pescivendoli

Oratorio di Sant' Andrea dei Pescivendoli

The 17th century Oratorio di Sant' Andrea dei Pescivendoli (Oratory of St Andrew of the Fishmongers), which stands next to what was once the fish market, was also dedicated to St Andrew. The inscription above the door reads: LOCVS ORATIONIS VENDITORVM PISCIVM (The place of prayer of those selling fish).

Bas-relief

The facade sports a beautiful bas-relief of St Andrew.

San Filippo Neri a Via Giulia

San Filippo Neri a Via Giulia (1768) was dedicated to St Philip Neri (1515-95), a Florentine priest who founded the Congregation of the Oratory. It was the last church to be a casualty of Mussolini's plans for new roads in the city centre. The area was cleared in 1940 for a new road that in the end was never built. The church was deconsecrated, partly demolished, and incorporated into an apartment block.

Bas-relief, San Filippo Neri a Via Giulia

The beautiful bas-relief on the facade depicts San Filippo Neri in ecstasy in the presence of the Virgin and Child.

Santa Marta al Collegio Romano

The convent church of Santa Marta al Collegio Romano was designed by Carlo Fontana (1638-1714) and built in 1673. The artist who painted the small fresco which crowns the facade is unknown.

The complex was home to the Casa di Santa Marta, which was established to provide care for repentant prostitutes.

Santa Rita da Cascia in Campitelli

The 17th century church of Santa Rita da Cascia in Campitelli, which was built by Carlo Fontana (1638-1714), originally stood about 200 metres away, near the bottom of the steps leading up to Santa Maria in Aracoeli.

Original location of Santa Rita da Cascia in Campitelli

The church was moved as part of Mussolini's remodelling of Rome.

Plaque, Santa Rita da Cascia in Campitelli

It was taken down in 1928 and rebuilt on this spot in 1940, as a plaque on the side wall of the church records.

Santa Maria di Grottapinta

The late-16th century church of Santa Maria di Grottapinta was built on the site of what was once the seating area of the ancient Theatre of Pompey.

Santa Maria della Clemenza

The 17th century oratory of Santa Maria della Clemenza once belonged to the Arciconfraternita del Santissimo Sacramento di Santa Maria in Trastevere, which was founded to propagate devotion to the Eucharist.

The Archconfraternity provided a copy of the Byzantine icon of the Madonna of Mercy (Madonna della Clemenza) for veneration, the original being in the Cappella Altemps, at nearby Santa Maria in Trastevere, where the members used to meet. The small building now houses a restaurant.

San Simeone Profeta

The 17th century church of San Simeone Profeta was dedicated to St Simeon, the old man who, according to the Gospel of Luke, when visited by the Holy Spirit, promised he would not die until he saw the Messiah. He recognised Jesus as the infant Messiah when Mary and Joseph brought their baby to the Temple in Jerusalem. St Simeon took the child in his arms and uttered the prayer known as the Nunc Dimittis (Now you can depart).

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