Church of the Gesù, Jesuit church in Italy
The Church of the Gesù is the main Jesuit sanctuary in Rome, built during the late 1500s with a design that emphasizes open sight lines and grandeur through its wide interior space. The inside features ornate vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and large-scale frescos covering the surfaces, creating a highly decorated environment that draws the eye toward the altar.
Construction started in 1568 following designs by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola and other architects, creating a new model for Jesuit churches worldwide. Its layout broke from traditional church designs and established a type of church plan that became influential for religious buildings of that era.
The church's Baroque architecture set a precedent for future Jesuit churches worldwide.
The church sits in central Rome near the Pantheon and is easily reached on foot from most areas. Plan to arrive outside of service times if you want to explore freely, as parts of the interior may be restricted when masses are taking place.
The building was notable for allowing Jesuits to hold masses before large crowds rather than in the smaller, more intimate chapels typical of earlier church traditions. This concept of a large, open hall-church structure became the template for hundreds of religious buildings across Europe and beyond.
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