Sant'Ignazio — Church of St Ignatius of Loyola

In the heart of Rome, near the Pantheon, the church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola is one of the great Jesuit churches of Rome, dedicated to its founder.

Construction began a few years after the canonisation of Ignatius of Loyola (1622), in the Baroque style, the style that would become the symbol of the Counter-Reformation promoted by the Jesuits.

Getting there : In the heart of Rome, it is best reached on foot or by bus; many bus lines run along the Via del Corso (62, 63, 80, 83, 119 …)

Address : Piazza Sant'Ignazio

Opening hours : Every day from 9:00 to 20:00). Special evening openings: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 20:00 to 23:30

Ticket prices: free admission.

Access to the church is from a small, delightful square, itself with a Baroque setting.

The façade of the building has a relatively sober Baroque decoration with antique-style columns.

The interior of the church is simple in design: a large nave lined with large side chapels. But the most striking feature of Sant'Ignazio is its ceiling, richly decorated with a trompe-l'œil fresco by Andrea Pozzo. This great fresco depicts the apotheosis of St Ignatius: a ray of light from God bathes St Ignatius, who spreads it to the four corners of the world, symbolising the Jesuits' missionary role.

Likewise, as the church has no dome, a trompe-l'œil replaces it at the crossing of the transept.

On the floor you will find a marble circle marking the ideal position from which to appreciate the perspective effect of the frescoes.

The rest of the decoration is rich, with fine antique columns, paintings and gilding.