Santa Maria di Loreto, Renaissance church near Trajan's Forum, Rome, Italy
Santa Maria di Loreto is a Renaissance church in Rome built with a square base that transitions into an octagonal drum crowned by a ribbed dome. The structure features rounded openings in the dome that allow light to filter into the interior space.
Construction began in 1507 under architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, commissioned by a guild of bakers who funded the project as a votive church. The building evolved over decades as different architects contributed to its design.
The church holds a venerated image of Our Lady of Loreto framed in marble, reflecting its role as a sacred destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual connection. The five altars inside show how the space was designed to accommodate many worshippers at once.
The church sits next to Trajan's Column and opens daily for visitors to explore its architecture and interior artworks. The location is walkable from major sites in the Forum area, making it easy to visit alongside other historical landmarks.
The lantern added in 1573 by Jacopo del Duca introduced Mannerist style to the dome and was nicknamed the 'Cricket Cage' by local people. This later addition shows how the building continued to evolve as tastes and artistic movements changed.
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