Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo Audio Guide

Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo is on the site of a small chapel erected by Paschal II, towards the end of the XI cent. The architects, Baccio Pontelli, and Andrea Bregno restored it in 1477, under Sixtus IV, in the Renaissance style, with a simple facade and two orders of columns.

The Papal families not only embellished this church, but also erected their tombs here. The gabled bell-tower, on the right side, is a characteristic feature.

The interior has single aisles with the roof supported by pillars, and a cupola over the transept. Although it has later Baroque embellishments, it still maintains its Renaissance character. The first chapel of the right aisle dedicated to the Delia Rovere Family, is completely decorated in frescoes by Pintoricchio (1485-89) portraying scenes from the life of St. Jerome.

Of the same artist is the altar-screen with the Adoration of the Child. Along the left wall, the Tomb of Cardinal Delia Rovere, by Mino da Fiesole, and Andrea Bregno (XV cent.). – The second chapel of the Cybo family, was redecorated by Carlo Fontana in the XVII cent. On the altar, is a painting of the Assumption, by Maratta. – The third chapel is decorated with frescoes by Pintoricchio, and others, including Tiberio d’Assisi (1504-7).

Above the altar, the Madonna and Child, and on the left wall, beneath the Assumption, the Tomb of Cardinal Foscari, a bronze work attributed to Vecchietta (XV cent.). Above the altar of the fourth chapel, a marble triptych of the school of Bregno, and frescoes of the school of Pintoricchio. – On the main altar, a painting of the Madonna, in the Byzantine style of the XIII cent.; at the sides of the presbytery, two beautiful sepulchral monuments by Sansovino; on the ceiling, the magnificent frescoes of Pintoricchio (1508-9). The apse is the work of Bramante; the stained-glass is by Guglielmo di Marsiglia (1509-10).

On the side walls of the chapel to the left of the presbytery are two great masterpieces of Caravaggio: the Crucifixion of Saint Peter, and the Conversion of Saint Paul. – The Chigi Chapel, the second of the left aisle, adorned in the elegant style of the Renaissance, was constructed from the designs of Raphael, who also designed the mosaics of the cupola, and the statues of the prophets, Jonah, and Elias, which were executed by Lorenzetto. Daniel and Habakkuk are by Bernini, the bronze-relief on the altar-front is by Lorenzetto. The painting of the Nativity of the Virgin is by Sebastiano del Piombo. Along the side walls, the tombs of the Chigi family, in pyramidal form. In the adjacent convent of the order of St Augustine, Martin Luther resided when he visited the city.