San Marcello al Corso Church, Rome
Church of Saint Marcellus in Rome (San Marcello al Corso) is one of the oldest temples in the city. It is dedicated to the Bishop and Pope Marcellus I. After going through various shocks and restorations, nowadays the church has a beautiful concave-shaped façade and a wonderful interior.
Church history
There was a small chapel on the site of the present church as early as 418. There is documentary evidence of its consecration by Pope Boniface I. Later, in the 8th century, Pope Adrian I built a church in its place. In the 12th century, the church was expanded. On May 22, 1519, the temple was destroyed by fire and completely burned down, only a wooden crucifix survived miraculously. Money was raised to restore it, and the project was developed by architect Jacopo Sansovino. But in 1527 the finances went off to bribe the soldiers during the plunder of Rome. Workers fled, fearing for their lives. In order to raise money, the monks sold the building of the monastery, and in 1529 Antonio da Sangallo the Younger took over the project. In 1530, the flooded Tiber River damaged the poor building again.
The works were resumed in 1536, and by 1569 the apse of the temple was completed. In 1592 the church was consecrated. And only in 1686, Carlo Fontana created a real façade for the basilica. In 1703, bell tower was also added. In the period 1861–1867, the interior of the church was restored by the efforts of the architect Virginio Vespignani.
Architecture and interior
Structurally, the church has one nave with the side aisles. The latter hold 5 chapels on each side. At the far end there is a rectangular presbytery and an apse. The magnificent concave façade of the church in the late Baroque style is considered to be one of the best works of Carlo Fontana. It has two levels.
- The lower one – with the main entrance in the center, framed by 3 columns on each side. Along the sides there are niches with statues, and above the entrance there is a round medallion with a bas-relief.
- The second level has several pairs of columns and pilasters that support the triangular pediment. In the center there is the coat of arms relief, and below, above the main entrance, there are allegorical sculptures of Faith and Hope. At the corners of the façade there are statues of saints Gioacchino Piccolomini and Francesco Patrizi.
Interior
The interior of the church looks very rich. It is decorated with gilded stucco and numerous old frescoes. The main colours are gold and white. The 10 windows on the side walls are separated by a cycle of frescoes (14 paintings) by Giovanni Battista Ricci, depicting the sufferings of Christ.
On the two sides of the entrance there are beautiful sarcophagi with sculptures of cardinals. The altar is decorated with multicolored marble, under it is the main shrine of the temple – the relics of St. Marcellus. On the wall of the apse there is a huge picture depicting the deeds of Pope Marcellus. The temple ceiling is flat cassette, and is made of wood. It is painted in blue, red and gold colors.
Chapels of the Basilica are decorated with various frescoes by famous Italian artists: Francesco Salviati, Perino del Vaga, Alessandro Algardi, Federico Zuccaro. In several chapels there are sarcophagi with the remains of the Catholic Cardinals Camillo and Fabrizio Paolucci.
How to get there
The San Marcello al Corso Church is located in the very center of Rome, on the famous Corso Street, although its façade faces Piazza di San Marcello, 5. Near the temple there are many famous sights: the Venezia Palace, the Pantheon, the Wax Museum and many others. Nearest bus station: Corso/Ss. Apostoli, it can be reached by routes 51, 62, 63, 80, 83, 85, 160, 492, C3, N4, N5, N12, N25.
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 24:00, on Saturday from 9:30 to 24:00, on Sunday from 9:00 to 24:00. Phone number for information (+39) 06 6793910.
Free admission.
