San Pietro in Montorio, Rome
San Pietro in Montorio (Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio) is a small, but quite popular among Catholics, church in Rome. The thing is that it was built on the place where, according to legend, the apostle Peter was crucified on an inverted cross. Today it is the side of the Janiculum Hill.
History of the church
The existence of a monastery on the Janiculum Hill is mentioned in the old chronicles as early as the 9th century. Actually the church was built in its place in the 12th century, and it was passed into the hands of Benedictine monks. For many years, the Celestine branch lived here, and the church was called Sancti Petri Montis Aurei, which was documented in 1320.
In the 15th century, the buildings were in the bad state, and Pope Sixtus IV initiated its reconstruction in 1472. The project was led by architect Baccio Pontelli. The temple was consecrated in 1500, received the current name – San Pietro in Montorio – and was transferred to the ownership of the Franciscan Order.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the church became the burial place of Irish Catholic earls, who resisted the imposing of Protestantism by the British and fled to Rome. During the period of 1789–1809, the church suffered serious damage and was destroyed by Napoleon’s troops. But in 1814 the monks restored it. In 1849, during the war for independence with Austria, a hospital was located here. And after the unification of Italy, the church was transferred to the state in 1876.
Origins of name
The name of the church is not only connected with the death of St. Peter. The second part of the name comes from the naming of Monte D’Oro – the red-yellow soil that prevails on the local hill.
Architecture and interior
The temple is built of brick, the façade is faced with a simple gray stone. Above the main entrance there is a single triangular gable. The façade is decorated only with coats of arms and an ornamented window. Inside, the plan is just as simple and it is represented by a single nave. In front there is a polygonal apse. On either side of the entrance there are the tombs of the Irish counts who participated in the Nine Years' War, with Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell buried there.
Inside the church there are 5 chapels. All of them are decorated with magnificent frescoes created by the artists of 15–16 centuries. Among them there are the real masters: Sebastiano del Piombo, Pinturicchio, Baldassarre Peruzzi and Giorgio Vasari.
In the courtyard of the church there is a small chapel-rotunda Tempietto. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century and is considered to be a true example of Renaissance architecture by critics.
How to get there
The church is located in Trastevere, on the right bank of the Tiber, on the square with the same name, Piazza di S. Pietro in Montorio, 2. These ancient historical quarters contain many attractions, including the famous Villa Farnesina, Doria Pamphili and Palazzo Corsini. Nearby there is a bus stop Garibaldi/Iacobucci (route 115).
Opening hours: the office is open from 8:30 to 12:00 every day, and on Monday-Friday from 15:00 to 16:00. Services are held on Sunday from 8:00 to 12:00. Visiting is possible for groups by appointment. Phone number (+39) 06 581 3940.
Admission: information about the cost of the visit can be found by calling the phone number above.
