Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re, Minor basilica in Della Vittoria district, Rome, Italy
Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re is a parish church and minor basilica in the Della Vittoria district of Rome, built in a rationalist style with a brick facade and travertine details around its doorways and windows. The building features a dome that dominates the interior and follows a floor plan that draws from both the Latin and Greek cross traditions.
Construction began in 1920 under architect Marcello Piacentini and was completed in two phases, finishing in 1934. The church took shape during a period when Italian architecture was searching for a new language between classical forms and modern simplicity.
The interior holds sculptures by Arturo Martini and mosaics by Ferruccio Ferrazzi, both clearly visible during a visit. These works give the space a strong artistic identity that goes beyond its strictly religious function.
The church sits in the Della Vittoria neighborhood, within easy walking distance of the Prati area and the Vatican. As an active parish, visitors are welcome but should dress modestly and be mindful of ongoing services.
Marcello Piacentini is often remembered for large state buildings linked to the fascist era, but this church shows a more experimental side of his work. The floor plan, which merges the Latin and Greek cross, was an unusual choice for an urban parish church at the time.
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