Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore, Gothic Catholic church at Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore is a late Gothic church on Corso del Rinascimento in the center of Rome. Inside, a marble altar backdrop and a decorated chancel in colored marble give the space a layered, worked quality typical of this style.
The building dates back to the 12th century and was largely rebuilt in the mid-15th century. Alfonso de Paradinas, Bishop of Ciudad Rodrigo from Seville, provided much of the funding for that reconstruction.
The church served as the national place of worship for the Kingdom of Castile in Rome from the 16th century onward and still holds works by Spanish and Italian masters. Walking through the interior, visitors can see how these two artistic traditions meet in the decorations side by side.
The church sits in the center of Rome and is easy to reach on foot from several nearby squares and landmarks. Opening times are split between morning and evening, so it is worth checking before you go.
The church is built over the foundations of Domitian's ancient stadium, whose curved outline is still visible today in the shape of Piazza Navona just outside. This link between the underground structure and the square above is something most visitors walk past without noticing.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
