San Barnaba apostolo, Baroque minor basilica in Marino, Italy
San Barnaba apostolo is a baroque minor basilica in Marino featuring a facade with Corinthian pilasters and statues representing saints and themes of martyrdom. The building sits at Corso Trieste 7 and displays classic baroque architectural details.
Cardinal Girolamo Colonna commissioned the church's construction in 1640, with architect Antonio Del Grande directing the project until its completion in 1662. This period established the building's baroque character.
The patron saint is Barnabas, chosen after hail storms hit the vineyards on his feast day, 11 June, in 1615, 1616 and 1617; his election was approved on 4 June 1619. The relic of a bone fragment from his arm, obtained by Duke Filippo II Colonna in 1630, is kept in a reliquary made by Girolamo Zuccoli. The first record of the saint's festival and fair dates from 1638.
The basilica stands on Corso Trieste in the upper part of Marino, about 20 km from Rome. The facade faces the street, and the bell tower rises on the right side. The interior is entered from the lower facade; the nave is 58.75 m long and the crossing lantern reaches 36 m. Look for the 1713 consecration and the 1851 basilica minor title.
A statue of Saint Barnaba holding a palm frond stands on the facade at roughly 2 meters tall, while a figure of Saint Lucia displays a plate with her eyes. These unusual details in how the saints are shown are rarely seen in baroque churches.
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