Santa Maria della Consolazione

Santa Maria della Consolazione is a church with Baroque architecture and a Mannerist facade located above the site where the Tarpeian Rock once stood. The building showcases decorative elements typical of its era with the interior enhanced by painted artworks from the 1500s.

The church began as a small chapel in the 1300s and was redesigned by Martino Longhi the Elder centuries later. Its history is closely tied to its role offering comfort to condemned prisoners in their final moments.

The name refers to its original purpose as a place of comfort for the condemned. Today visitors can see frescoes by Renaissance artists throughout the interior that give the space a spiritual character.

The church sits at the edge of the Palatine area and is accessible on foot from several nearby historic sites. Visitors should keep in mind this is an active place of worship where respectful dress is appropriate.

A very old image of the Virgin Mary from the 1200s sits in a chapel to the right of the altar. This artwork is often overlooked by visitors despite being one of the most precious objects in the church.

Location: Rome

Inception: 1606

Architects: Martino Longhi the Elder

Architectural style: baroque architecture

GPS coordinates: 41.89131,12.48297

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:50