San Giovanni Battista dei Cavalieri di Rodi, church building in Monti district, Rome, Italy
San Giovanni Battista dei Cavalieri di Rodi is a church built in 1946 inside a room of the Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi, on the remains of the Forum of Augustus. It occupies a quadriporticus with travertine arches on pilasters, and its back wall holds an altar with sculptures by Alfredo Biagini (1886–1952).
The church was built in 1946 inside a room of the Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi, also called Castello, which the Knights Hospitaller erected on the remains of the Forum of Augustus after acquiring the Templars' property when that order was suppressed at the start of the 14th century. The Casa is in brick, with a large arch on its facade and a 15th-century cross window.
The church is the palatine chapel of the Knights of Rhodes, who took over the lands of the suppressed Knights Templar at the start of the 14th century. Their Casa, built in brick on the remains of the Forum of Augustus, keeps a large arch on its façade and a 15th-century cross window; the 1946 chapel was fitted into one of its rooms.
Access to the chapel is restricted and visits must be arranged beforehand, typically for small organized groups. Plan ahead since availability is limited and the interior spaces are compact, so tours move at a relaxed pace to allow close viewing.
The church occupies one room of the Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi, built in brick on the remains of the Forum of Augustus; its facade keeps a large arch and a 15th-century cross window. The Knights of Rhodes took over the Templars' property after that order was suppressed at the start of the 14th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,691 contributors worldwide.