Sant'Agata dei Goti Church, Religious monument in Via Mazzarino, Rome, Italy
Sant'Agata dei Goti is a church in Rome that features a Romanesque bell tower from the 12th century and a baroque facade reconstructed by Francesco Ferrari in 1729. The interior is marked by ancient columns and a large fresco in the apse designed by Paolo Gismondi.
The church was founded around 460 by Ricimer for the Gothic community and later converted to Catholic worship under Pope Gregory I. This transformation marked the shift from a Gothic-Arian religious site to a Roman Catholic place of worship.
The interior columns display Cosmatesque mosaics with geometric patterns that reflect a distinctive Roman decorative tradition. These ornamental elements show how medieval church design incorporated local artistic techniques and craftsmanship.
Visiting during daytime hours is best when natural light illuminates the interior details and mosaics from the windows. The church sits on a quiet side street and is accessible on foot from the main thoroughfares.
At the entrance door stands a relief depicting Saint Agatha holding her severed breasts, symbolizing her martyrdom. This stark image serves as a direct visual reference to the suffering she endured.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
