The amazing church, called Il Gesu (Italian: La chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina), is located in Rome, a block from Piazza Venezia, and dates back to the 16th century, the late Renaissance period. The temple is revered as the center of the Jesuit shrines belonging to the Society of Jesus. Holy relics, unique sculptures and majestic frescoes made him one of the most outstanding examples of art related to the Baroque style.
Story
The church has a baroque facade, which is unparalleled in all of Italy. Outstanding architects: Giacomo della Porta and Giacomo Vignola, designed and built the building since 1568.
The temple was erected on the site of another sanctuary, where, according to legend, Ignatius Loyola (Ignacio Lopez de Loyola), who laid the foundation for the Jesuit Order, made a prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God. The image of the Madonna still adorns the chapel of the temple, it is located to the right of the altar. The temple was rebuilt many times, although Loyola's rooms remained untouched. Even the ceilings in them are higher than in other rooms.
An indescribable delight is caused by the corridor of Andrea Pozzo to Ile Gesu - by going into it, a tourist begins a journey in 3D space. On the surface of the floor there is a dot of pink marble, decorated with inlay. Having stood on it, a person is struck by the amazing view of an illusory perspective. It is in this place that all the picturesque as well as architectural lines of a long corridor designed by an outstanding architect meet.
Description
The most noteworthy element of the interior is grandiose ceiling painting - mural, which for the temple, Il Gesu performed in the XVII century, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Giovanni Battista Gaulli).
The image adorns the main nave of the church basilica. Genoese artist began to paint a mural, when he was only 22 years old. The work was completed only for the fortieth anniversary of the master! The figures written in a spectacular manner create a stunning illusion that they soar in the space under the ceiling, visually casting a shadow. but in fact, the mural is painted in a single plane!
Having visited this church in Rome, you should pay attention to:
- chapel of St. Andrew, which is decorated with stunning frescoes by Agostino Champelli;
- murals decorating the arches of the third right chapel - painting by Federico Zuccari (Frederico Zuccari);
- church transept designed by Pietro Cortona, right there, in the altar there is the icon "Death of Xavier" painted by Carlo Maratta in the 17th century;
- image of St. Francesco Borgia was discharged on the altar by the Jesuit from Rome Andrea Pozzo. You can admire in chapel of the Sacred Heart (Cappella del Sacro Cuore);
- chapel of St. Ignatius, in which stands a statue of a saint located in the left transept of the temple;
- St. Mary's Chapellocated to the left of the main altar. It contains the icon of the Mother of Jesus dating back to the 14th century.
- the museum operates at the temple, which stores especially valuable exhibits that are directly related to the Order of the Jesuits. Museum Hours: Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Book a visit to the museum at other times on the website of Il Gesu.
How to get there
- Address: Via degli Astalli, 16
- By bus No. 30, 40, 46, 62, 64, 70, 81, 87, 130F, 190F, 492, 628, 916, stop - Largo Torre Argentina (where cats live in Rome) or Plebiscito, and also on foot from Venice Square .
- Working hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:45, break: from 12:30 to 16:00.
- Ticket price: Is free.
- Site: www.chiesadelgesu.org
