San Giovanni Battista, Catholic church in Collatino district, Rome, Italy.
San Giovanni Battista in Collatino is a parish church on Via Sandro Sandri, built in reinforced concrete with pink stone, with a simple facade. Inside is a single nave with a flat ceiling, marble floor and hints of side aisles. Its main artwork is a cycle of leaded stained-glass windows on the life of John the Baptist by Paola Grossi Gondi, about 300 m², made 2002–2007.
The church was built during a period of religious expansion in Rome's eastern outer areas. Its dedication took place on November 21, 1965, marking the growth of Catholic infrastructure in this region.
The parish was established on 1 March 1964 by Cardinal Vicar Clemente Micara and entrusted to priests of the Opus Dei personal prelature, who still serve it. The stained-glass cycle of 2002–2007 was paid for mainly by the faithful's contributions, as medieval cathedrals were. The windows depict scenes from the life of John the Baptist, from the angel's announcement to Zechariah to his burial.
The church is easily reached via Rome's public transportation and sits in a well-connected residential area. Regular mass services are held, so checking the schedule before your visit is helpful.
The building is an example of 1960s church architecture and stands apart from the classical churches found in the city center. This modern approach shows how religious design evolved in Rome's expanding outer neighborhoods.
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