Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Church of S Maria dei Miracoli in Rome

Church of S Maria dei Miracoli in Rome from http://www.panoramicearth.com

This image of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Rome is part of one of the panoramic images found on the PanoramicEarth.com Tour of Rome. There are over 100 images taken from around Rome linked to an interactive map.

The church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is one of two twin churches which stand like sentinels at the beginning of Via del Corso as it leaves the Piazza del Popolo. The other church is the Santa Maria in Montesanto. They were built by Carlo Rainaldi, and, although the fronts of the two churches look identical, S Maria in Montesanto has an oval dome whereas S Maria dei Miracoli has a circular dome. This was done because the churches had to look the same to provide a focal point for the Piazza, but the site for S Maria dei Miracoli is slightly narrower.

S Maria dei Miracoli took six years to build, starting in 1675. and built to a circular design with an octagonal cupola. Inside are sculptures by Antonio Raggi.

In this image you can see the high altar and two side chapels. Above the high altar is an image of Mary.The whole image is found on the Rome tour by PanoramicEarth.com. The first chapel on the right-hand side has an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Bétharram, named after a shrine near Lourdes. It contains a mediocre copy of Renoir's Madonna at Bétharram. The order of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, who minister in this church, were founded at Bétharram.

For more articles on Rome see the Rome Index or select one of the labels at the bottom.

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