Santa Maria in Via Lata

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Santa Maria in Via Lata, church on the Via del Corso (the ancient Via Lata), Rome.

[edit] History

It is claimed that St Paul spent two years here, in the crypt next to the church, whilst under house arrest waiting for his trial. This conflicts with the tradition of San Paolo alla Regola. It is also claimed that St Peter, Paul's secretary Luke, Peter's disciple Martial, St John and St Peter.

The first Christian place of worship here was a 5th century oratory (chapel with welfare centre) in the Roman building beneath the present church. This was constructed within the remains of a large Roman warehouse, some 250 metres long, which has also been excavated. The church's upper level was added in the 9th century, and murals added to the lower level between the 7th and 9th centuries (these have been detached for conservation reasons). The cosmatesque pavement from this phase survives.

The church's icon of the Virgin Advocate, said to have caused many miracles, dates to the 13th century, and relics of the 3rd century Deacon and martyr Agapitus lie beneath it. The Arcus Novus (an arch erected by emperor Diocletian 303-4), which stood on this site were destroyed for a rebuild of the church in the late 15th century, c. 1491. Antonio Tebaldeo (1453-1537), poet and friend of Raphael, was buried at the end of the north aisle in 1537, though his tomb was designed in 1776.

The church was renovated or rebuilt again in the 17th century by Pietro da Cortona, including a c.1660 façade and portico, and a high altar attributed to Bernini or Santi Ghetti. The first excavations of the site also occurred at this date, as commemorated by a relief in the crypt by Cosimo Fancelli. The families of Bonaparte and Lucien Bonaparte were buried here in the 18th century.

[edit] External links

• Nyborg