Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata a Tor de' Specchi, Medieval church near Teatro di Marcello, Rome, Italy
The chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata a Tor de' Specchi is a medieval church in Rome with an attached monastery complex located near the Teatro di Marcello. Its interior features large frescoes from the 15th century depicting various religious and everyday scenes throughout the walls.
The church was built in the 14th century and appears in documents from the time of Popes Boniface VIII and Clement VI. In 1433, it was given to the Oblates, who have maintained it as a monastery since then.
The name references the Annunciation to Mary, a pivotal moment in Christian tradition. The frescoes inside illustrate everyday moments from medieval Rome, offering visitors a visual window into the city's past through religious art.
Access to the church is quite limited, and visits are possible only on a few specific days of the year. It is best to research or contact ahead to find out when a visit can be arranged.
The monastery courtyard still retains an original stable structure from ancient times, including an old manger and a Roman sarcophagus lid that was repurposed for distributing aid. These remains show how historical objects were creatively reused in everyday monastery life.
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