Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, Baroque church in Corso del Rinascimento, Rome, Italy
Description
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza is a Baroque church with an extraordinary six-sided floor plan whose walls alternate between curving inward and outward. The dome ends in a distinctive spiral lantern that rises above the roof of the surrounding building complex.
History
Francesco Borromini designed this church between 1643 and 1660 as a spatial solution for the courtyard of an older university. The project stood in direct competition with the contemporary works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the city.
Culture
The church stood at the heart of a learning complex where students studied arts and sciences. Today, the spaces still reflect this connection between knowledge and faith that is visible in the building itself.
Practical
The church sits inside a university complex, so access is normally limited to going through an inner courtyard. It is best to visit on Sunday morning when services are held and the doors are open.
Did you know?
The fundamental geometric form combines two overlapping triangles that together create a six-pointed star. This symbol is traditionally linked to divine wisdom, which perfectly suits its original purpose as a chapel for a university.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Rome).
Rome contains over 900 churches that demonstrate two thousand years of sacred architecture, from Roman antiquity to the Baroque period. These buildings reveal the evolution of construction techniques and artistic expressions over the centuries. St. Peter's Basilica covers 20,000 square meters and...
Palazzo Madama
115 m
Contarelli Chapel
136 m
Palazzo Giustiniani
121 m
Fontana del Moro
132 m
Sant'Eustachio
90 m
Teatro Valle
83 m
Baths of Nero
107 m
Palazzo della Sapienza
16 m
Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore
100 m
Archivio di Stato di Roma
71 m
Palazzo Maccarani Stati
52 m
Lancellotti Palace
128 m
Organo della basilica di Sant'Eustachio a Roma
90 m
Fontana dei Libri
52 m
Gladiator Museum
129 m
Biblioteca dell'Archivio di Stato di Roma
68 m
Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi
145 mCasa Generalizia di San Pantaleo
138 mFountain
48 m
Biblioteca della Fondazione Lelio e Lisli Basso. Onlus
83 m
Fountain
119 mConvento di Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore
108 mFountain
55 m
Palazzo della Sapienza - Archivio di Stato
56 mMohr
132 mStatue, Work of art
132 mWork of art, statue
134 mStatue, Work of art
131 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes