San Nicola ai Prefetti

San Nicola ai Prefetti is a church in the Campo Marzio district featuring a Renaissance facade and an elaborately decorated interior. The structure incorporates architectural elements and materials salvaged from ancient Roman buildings that once stood on this site.

The church was founded in 1582, incorporating materials from three Roman temples including the Temple of Spes. This reuse of stone and columns was a common practice when building churches in Rome during that period.

The name refers to the Prefetti, magistrates who worked in this area, and Saint Nicholas, to whom the church is dedicated. Inside, religious paintings and sculptures reflect the artistic practices of Roman churches in the 17th century.

The church maintains set visiting hours and is open to the public during those times. It helps to wear comfortable shoes, as the interior has uneven floors, particularly in the lower level where ancient Roman structures are visible.

Below the altar, archaeological remains of ancient Roman temples are still visible to visitors. These direct remnants offer a rare glimpse into how churches in Rome were built over older sacred sites.