Santa Caterina dei Funari, Renaissance church in Sant'Angelo district, Rome, Italy.
Santa Caterina dei Funari is a Renaissance church in the Sant'Angelo district of Rome, built in travertine with a facade divided into two tiers by Corinthian pilasters. A rose window sits at the center of the upper tier, and framed rectangular panels run across the surface of both levels.
The church was built in 1564 under the patronage of Cardinal Federico Cesi, on the site of an earlier building that dated back to the 9th century. The reconstruction came during a period of deep change within the Catholic Church, when many Roman buildings were rebuilt or reformed.
The name "dei Funari" refers to the ropemakers who once worked in this part of Rome, giving the surrounding streets their character. Walking through the area today, visitors notice the narrow layout of the blocks, which still reflects the old craft district it once was.
The church is in a residential area close to the Tiber and can be reached by public transit from the city center. Opening hours tend to vary, so checking before visiting is a good idea, especially outside the main tourist season.
From 1534, Saint Ignatius of Loyola used the building as a school for girls from poor backgrounds, following a directive from Pope Paul III. This made it one of the early examples in Rome of an institution set up specifically to educate young women who had no other options.
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