Santa Maria in Grottapinta, Baroque church in Parione district, Rome, Italy.
Santa Maria in Grottapinta is a baroque church built on the foundations of Pompey's Theater, featuring a 19th-century facade with Ionic capitals and a small bell tower. The building stands in Rome's historic center and currently functions as an exhibition and conference space.
The church gained affiliation with the Basilica of San Lorenzo through a papal decree from Pope Urban III in 1186. This ecclesiastical connection shaped its standing and religious identity for centuries to come.
The interior holds three altars decorated with religious artworks, including a crucifix by Giovanni Antonio Valtellina and a depiction of Saint John Baptist by Francesco Alessandrini. These pieces reflect the faith and artistic tastes of the community that has gathered here for worship.
The church is located at Via di Grotta Pinta in Rome's historic center and is easily accessible on foot. It functions as an exhibition and conference space, welcoming visitors interested in viewing the interior artworks.
The name Grottapinta possibly comes from painted decorations or from the Roman habit of calling ancient ruins grottoes. This linguistic origin ties the building directly to the archaeological layers beneath modern Rome.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
