Santa Maria in Carinis

Santa Maria in Carinis is a former church located along Via del Colosseo in Rome's Monti district, now converted to residential housing. Only the entrance doorframe with its carved inscription remains visible from the original structure, while the interior has been entirely transformed.

The building originated as a Catholic chapel under the administration of Cistercian monks. In 1809, the monks sold it to the Basilian order, marking a shift in who cared for the place.

The name likely refers to ancient Roman settlements or alludes to the site's location in a low-lying area resembling a ship's hull. Visitors can still see the inscribed letters carved into the surviving doorframe, which tells of this place's religious past.

The building is now private property and can be viewed from the outside, with the inscribed doorframe being the main feature to observe. It is best visited during daytime to see the details of the carved letters clearly.

The site preserves a linguistic quirk: the inscription shows 'carinis' in an Italian form rather than the Latin 'carinalis'. This spelling choice reflects how language evolved during the time the church stood.

Location: Rome

GPS coordinates: 41.89295,12.48904

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:45