Santa Barbara dei Librai, Catholic church in Parione district, Rome, Italy
Santa Barbara dei Librai is a church in the Parione district featuring a baroque facade designed by Giuseppe Passeri. Its compact interior is adorned with frescoes and holds several artworks spanning different periods.
The church was founded in the 10th century and received its current name in 1600 when granted to the bookmakers guild. This transfer reflected the growing importance of writing and printing trades in Rome.
The name reflects the bookmakers and scribes who were organized here for centuries as a professional community. The artworks inside show how craftspeople connected their trades with religious devotion in this neighborhood.
The church sits near Campo de' Fiori and is easily reached on foot, though opening hours vary with the season. It is worth checking beforehand if it is accessible, as it may not be open regularly to visitors.
Beneath the church lie the remains of the ancient Pompey's Theater, with the building partly integrated into these classical Roman structures. This layer of ancient history underfoot shows how Rome built its different epochs atop one another.
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