San Carlo al Corso Church, Rome
Church of Saints Ambrose and Charles or San Carlo al Corso Church (Basilica dei Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso) is a large and beautiful church in the center of Rome. Since ancient times it belonged to the community of Lombards in Rome. Since then, the convention has remained that the archbishop of Milan can be its cardinal. It is also dedicated to Catholic saints who were born in the capital of Lombardy.
History of Basilica
On August 29, 1471, Pope Sixtus IV approved the foundations of the Lombard Confraternity in Rome. The community was quite numerous, and therefore the pontiff gave them the church of St. Nicholas for the parish. The temple was very ancient, built in the 10th century. It was immediately renamed and was given the name of Saint Aurelius Ambrosius, the famous bishop of Milan of the early Christian period.
In 1610 the Milan Cardinal Carlo Borromeo was canonized. He made a name for himself on the reform of monastic Catholic orders. The church was named after him. In 1612 it was demolished and the construction of a new large building began. The work was carried out according to the project of Onorio Longhi, and in 1616 his son Martino Longhi took over the reins. By 1627 the main structure was completed, and by 1668 a dome was erected. Work on the façade was carried out until 1684. In 1906, the administration of the church was entrusted to the Institute of Mercy. And in 1929 the church received the title of a small basilica.
Architecture and interior
- The façade of the building is made in the Baroque style, it is decorated with straight columns and numerous ornaments in the upper part.
- The dome of the church, designed by architect Pietro da Cortona, deserves special attention. It is the fifth tallest among the churches of Rome.
- The interior of the temple shows the influence of the late Baroque. It is richly decorated with ornamental plaster, marble, gilding, stucco decoration, sculptures and frescoes.
- The ground plan is in the form of a Latin cross. The presbytery and the altar are situated in its front, in the side aisles – the chapel.
- The main dome of the church is decorated with a magnificent fresco by Giacinto Brandi, which depicts a scene of the fall of angels during a rebellion in heaven.
- Behind the main altar there is the fresco “Gloria dei santi Ambrogio e Carlo” by Carlo Maratta, and another famous artist in religious circles, Pier Francesco Mola, worked on the chapels.
- Modern Italian sculptor Fernando Mario Paonessa presented the church with an impressive composition from the bronze plates Via Crucis. It depicts the resurrected Christ, who came down from the cross.
How to get there
The San Carlo al Corso Church in Rome is located near the east bank of the Tiber River, on Via del Corso, 437. Not far from it there are the famous sights of the Eternal City: Ponte Cavour, Mausoleum of Augustus and the Altar of Peace. The nearest stop is Tomacelli, it can be reached by bus routes 301, 628, 913, C3, N25.
Opening hours: every day from 7:00 to 19:00. Phone number for information (+39) 06 6828101.
Free admission.
