Chiesa di Santa Maria Mediatrice, Rationalist church in Aurelio district, Rome, Italy.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Mediatrice is a rationalist church building in Rome's Aurelio district, featuring brick exterior walls with travertine accents and a main portal framed by a double order of columns. The interior divides into two halls separated by a triumphal arch of Apuan onyx, with an octagonal nave and a rectangular choir.
Construction of this church began in 1942 under architect Giovanni Muzio during World War II and was completed in 1950. Its completion during the post-war period made it an important example of reconstruction architecture for that era.
The church contains mosaics by Giorgio Quaroni depicting the Virgin on a throne surrounded by saints, angels, and prophets in the central dome. These works shape how the interior feels and reflect the artistic vision of the 20th century.
The building features multiple altars arranged around an ambulatory, allowing priests to hold private mass celebrations in different areas. Visitors should plan time to explore the two sections connected by the triumphal arch, as the spatial layout is unconventional.
The triumphal arch is made from rare Apuan onyx, a material usually reserved for major building projects, creating a striking visual divider. This material choice is unusual for a church interior and reflects the ambitious design intent.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
