Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pace

The church of Santa Maria della Pace was consecrated in 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV on the site of an earlier chapel. In 1656-1667, Pope Alexander VII had the building restored by Pietro da Cortona, who added the famous baroque façade that juts out between the concave wings: this façade, which was intended to simulate a theatre stage, has two orders and is preceded by a semicircular pronaos supported by twin Tuscan columns.

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Wikimedia Commons/Jensens

Santa Maria dell'Anima

The church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, founded in the 14th century, was the church of the Holy Roman Empire in Rome and is today the national church of the German-speaking world. The oldest mention of the church dates back to 1389. In the 15th century, Santa Maria dell'Anima became a hospital for all inhabitants of the Holy Roman Empire who visited Rome. A lay brotherhood was also active, of which prominent citizens of the Holy Roman Empire residing in Rome became members, including William of Orange's eldest son, Philip William. Today, after bitter disputes, both the Belgians and the Dutch have a representative on the board. The church itself is now used exclusively as a parish for the German-speaking people of Rome. Since 1992, the Dutch have had the so-called Frisian Church (San Michaele dei Frisoni) at their disposal, in the immediate vicinity of St. Peter's Basilica.

Wikimedia Commons/Nicholas Gemini

Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone

The church of Sant'Agnese in Agone was built on the spot where, according to tradition, Agnes of Rome, exposed naked to the public, was miraculously covered by her hair. After the oratory, built in the 7th century, the church was built over it in baroque style by the architects Girolamo and Carlo Rainaldi in 1652 at the request of Pope Innocent X and the noble family of Pamphili. The church was completed between 1653 and 1657 by Francesco Borromini. He designed the concave façade of the church and topped it with a dome and two campaniles.

Wikimedia Commons/Lalupa

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare was founded by Pope Hadrian I around 780, on the remains of pre-existing Roman buildings. The original building was preceded by a small portico and, inside, it was divided into three naves with an apse. It was then rebuilt in its present form by Ferdinando Fuga on the orders of Pope Benedict XIV between 1742 and 1748: the same pontiff consecrated the new church on 21 April 1748.