Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome

A few steps from the Pantheon is the ‘richest’ church in Rome: a suggestive place that contains a true artistic heritage.

It is a place rich in history and culture a few steps from the Pantheon, have you ever visited the Basilica Santa Maria in Rome?

Centuries go by but Rome never ceases to amaze anyone who visits it. Tourists, citizens, and everyone have something to remember about the Eternal City where history, culture, and tradition come together making it unique. Today we want to tell you about the richest church in the capital: the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. All the details are below.

Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, where is it? A bit of history
A few steps from the Pantheon there is one of the richest churches in Rome from an artistic point of view. Its name is the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, a Gothic-style building.

The origin of the basilica dates back to the 18th century. Pope Zacharias had given it in concession to the Brazilian nuns of Constantinople and then to the Dominican friars. In 1400 the structure began to take on its current appearance, in fact, from 1370 to 1453 renovations took place which transformed it into today’s basilica.

However, many changes have ruined the original structure and it is for this reason that the original form was restored in 1800.

Artistic heritage of the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome

The basilica consists of 3 large naves, each separated by a row of 12 columns. On their sides, there are some ancient chapels inside which lie some members of the Medici family since it seems that the church was connected to the Florentines and in particular to the aforementioned family.

Inside then there are many works of art, some of which have great artistic value such as the statue made by Michelangelo himself, the Christ of Minerva. Then again several important Renaissance frescoes such as that of St. Thomas Aquinas being accompanied by the Virgin.