Tempio Valdese di Roma, Protestant temple near Piazza Cavour, Rome, Italy
The Tempio Valdese is a Waldensian church on Piazza Cavour, built between 1911 and 1913 to designs by Emanuele Rutelli and Paolo Bonci. Its eclectic facade mixes neo-Romanesque and Liberty elements, with two bell towers lacking bells, a seven-light loggia and a rose window. The portal lunette bears a mosaic of a candle on a Bible with the motto Lux lucet in tenebris.
Construction of this temple faced opposition from Pope Pius X, who repeatedly tried to prevent its establishment through appeals to Rome's mayor. Despite this resistance, the building was completed and marked an important shift for Protestant presence in the city.
The interior features Art Nouveau decorations with stained glass windows and a large mosaic in the apse depicting biblical scenes. These artistic elements reflect the place's importance as a center for Protestant life in Rome.
The temple is easy to reach and located in a central area near the Tiber River. Visitors should note that some areas are only open during services or special events.
The pulpit, carved in wood by Tito and Giuseppe Corsini to a design by Paolo Paschetto, is no longer used: pastor Franco Sommani replaced it with a lectern at floor level. Its balustrade carries reliefs of Arnold of Brescia, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Girolamo Savonarola around the Christ monogram.
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