Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, Rome

For the end of Holy Week, we present some churches from Rome each day, up to and including Easter Sunday!

Sant'Ignazio di Loyola is a 17th century church built to honor the founder of the Jesuit order, St. Ignatius of Loyola. He was a leading figure in the Counter Reformation and the church reflects the exuberance and zeal of Catholicism in that time.

Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, Rome

The interior is full of paintings and sculptures and frescoes. Just walking in is breath-taking.

Nave

Ceiling fresco (click to enlarge)

Jesuit preacher

Amazing side altar of the Annunciation

The church was supposed to have a dome but it was never built, so a forced perspective painting achieves the proper effect as visitors enter.

View of the "dome" as you enter

The "dome" from directly below

The main altar has the Baroque exuberance of the 17th century.

Main altar

Frecso above the altar

Several monuments are in the church as well, including a fantastic one to Pope Gregory XV who commissioned the church.

Pope Gregory XV memorial

St. Robert Bellarmine

A large model in a side chapel depicts various church fascades from around the world. J and L were naturally fascinated by this as well as the small nativity in the church (we visited around New Years 2014).

Model of churches

Detail from model

Nativity with magi approaching