Santa Caterina dei Funari, Renaissance church in Sant'Angelo district, Rome, Italy.
Santa Caterina dei Funari is a Renaissance church with a travertine facade divided into two tiers by Corinthian pilasters. The front is marked by a central rose window and a series of framed rectangular panels that run across its surfaces.
The church was built in 1564 under the patronage of Cardinal Federico Cesi, replacing an earlier 9th-century building dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. This reconstruction took place during a period of ecclesiastical renewal and religious reform that reshaped Rome.
The name reflects the ropemakers who once worked in this area, a trade that shaped the neighborhood's identity for centuries. Today, this connection to local craftspeople remains visible in how the place is remembered and discussed by residents.
The church sits in a residential neighborhood near the Tiber and is accessible by public transportation. Visitors should check opening hours in advance since schedules may vary throughout the year.
After 1534 the church became a school for disadvantaged girls when Pope Paul III gave it to Saint Ignatius of Loyola for this purpose. This educational mission made it a center of social support during an era when such opportunities for girls were uncommon.
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