Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto

Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto form a symmetrical pair at Piazza del Popolo, framing the entrance to Via del Corso with matching architectural design. One features a circular floor plan beneath its dome, while the other has an elliptical layout that differs from its twin despite their similar external appearance.

These churches were commissioned in the late 1600s to architecturally define Rome's northern gateway and establish a monumental entrance to the city. Multiple major architects of the period shaped their final form.

Santa Maria in Montesanto has served as a church for artists since 1953, drawing Rome's creative community who gather here for spiritual connection. This tradition has made it a gathering place where believers and makers find common ground.

Both churches welcome visitors daily and allow you to explore their different interior layouts and spaces. Morning visits tend to be quieter than afternoons, giving you more time to look around at your own pace.

Ancient burial structures lie hidden beneath both churches, built to resonate with Rome's famous Pyramid of Cestius nearby. These buried monuments mark a historically important threshold where the city's interior once began.

Location: Rome

GPS coordinates: 41.90972,12.47672

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42