Santa Maria in Domnica Church, Rome
Santa Maria in Domnica Church in Rome (Basilica di Santa Maria in Domnica alla Navicella) is an ancient church in the center of the city. A simple and small temple has more than one century of rich history behind it. Antique mosaics can be singled-out in the interior.
History of the church
The years of this early Christian church begin in 499, when it was mentioned in one of the papal synods. In 818, Pope Paschal I decided to rebuild the church, the works were completed in 822. Then wonderful mosaics were created, some of them have survived.
Since the Renaissance, basilica has been closely associated with the Medici family. Only iIn 1513, when Leo X received the Papal tiara, he ordered Andrea Sansovino to build a new façade for the church and create the Navicella Fountain. By the way, the latter had a small antique ship, which gave part of the name of the temple – St. Mary's Basilica near the ship. During the 16th century, representatives of the prominent family continued the reconstruction of the ancient basilica.
After nearly three centuries, at the end of the 19th century, another restoration was carried out. The project was led by architect Andrea Busiri Vici, and was financed by Cardinal Domenico Consolini. On March 5, 1882, the church was re-consecrated and reopened. Later it underwent restorations in 1958, 1988–1989, and 2006–2007.
Architecture and interior
The façade of the building is made in the Renaissance style.
- A covered portico with five arches is on the ground floor.
- On the second floor there are 2 small windows and a beautiful rosette between them.
- It is crowned with a triangular gable structure. It is decorated with marble bas-reliefs with the coats of arms of the Popes Innocent VIII and Leo X, as well as the Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand I de Medici.
It was rebuilt several times from the inside, but the church still retained the original plan of the 9th century. It consists of 3 naves, divided in two rows of 9 columns, and ending with apses.
The largest, central nave is decorated with frescoes by Lazzaro Baldi, it has a wooden cassette ceiling from 1566 with the coat of arms of the Medici family in the center. The central apse has a mosaic preserved from the time of construction. It depicts the Virgin Mary on a throne surrounded by angels, Pope Paschal I kneeling in front of her. The prophets Moses and Elijah are depicted on the sides of this mosaic, and on top there are 12 apostles with Jesus Christ in the center. In the side nave there are 2 ancient sarcophagi.
How to get there
The Santa Maria in Domnica Church is located in the historical center of Rome, on Via della Navicella, 10. Not far from the church there are the Lateran Palace, the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. There is also a bus stop Navicella/Villa Celimontana (route 81).
Opening hours: in connection with the restoration and construction of the metro station, the church will be open only during the Mass, every day from 18:00 to 19:45 until the end of 2020. Phone number for information (+39) 06 77202685.
Free admission.
