Santa Maria della Scala, Rome, church building in Rome, Italy
Santa Maria della Scala is a Baroque church in Rome distinguished by its two-story travertine facade with Corinthian capitals. The interior follows a Latin cross layout with a single nave, three side chapels on each side, and a high altar designed by Carlo Rainaldi.
Construction began in 1593 when Pope Clement VIII approved the project following reports of a miraculous healing involving a mute child. This founding story connected the place to spiritual expectations from that era.
The interior contains religious paintings by Gerard van Honthorst and Carlo Saraceni that enhance daily worship experiences for visitors and locals alike.
The church interior is compact and easy to navigate, with a clear floor plan and artworks positioned at accessible heights. Visitors can explore the space at a leisurely pace without difficulty.
An attached 17th-century pharmacy served as Rome's first of its kind and preserves original furnishings and medical equipment. This adjacent space reveals rare medical practices and tools from that historical period.
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