 Introduction
History
The Jesuit Mother Church was built according to the new requirements formulated during the Council of Trent. The basic innovation of the design was to set a dome over the crossing of the nave and transepts of a basilican church, a type familiar in Roman, early Christian and medieval models. There is no narthex in which to linger: the visitor is projected immediately into the body of the church, a single nave without aisles, so that the congregation is assembled and attention is focused on the high altar. In place of aisles there are a series of identical interconnecting chapels behind arched openings, to which entrance is controlled by decorative balustrades with gates. Transepts are reduced to stubs that emphasize the altars of their end walls.
The Gesù was much imitated by later churches and was the model of various churches of the Society of Jesus throughout the world, starting from the Church of St.Michael in Munich (1583-97) and the Corpus Christi Church in Niasviž (1587-93). Various parishes also share the name of the Church of the Gesù.
Location
Transit: By underground: The closest underground stop is Colosseo (line B). From this, continue with the bus line number 87 still the bus stop of Corso Rinascimento which is very close to the Church.
Bus: 60, 84, 85, 175, 810, 850 which stop in piazza Venezia.
What's to see
The interior is notable for its unified effect. Flanking the nave are lateral chapels, which seem almost cut off from the body of the church, and beyond the spacious transepts is the choir, terminating in an apse. The decoration of the interior is of great richness, with variegated marble, sculpture, bronze statues, stucco ornament, gilding and frescoes. In the barrel vaulting of the nave is a painting of the Triumph of the Name of Jesus by Giovanni Battista Gaulli, which glorifies the great missionary achievements of the Jesuits.
Particularly notable are the altars and tombs of Jesuit saints: In the south transept the San Francesco Saverio Chapel of St Francis Xavier by Pietro da Cortona (1674-8) and has an altarpiece by Carlo Maratta. In the presbytery is a bust of Cardinal Bellarmine by Bernini (1621-1624). In the north transept the large St. Ignatius Chapel designed by Andrea Pozzo houses the saint's tomb. The altar by Pozzo shows the Trinity, while four lapis lazuli-veneered columns enclose the colossal statue of the saint by Pierre Legros. The present statue of the saint is a copy of the original silver statue which Pope Pius VII was obliged to melt down to meet reparations payable to Napoleon under the treaty of Tolentino., 1797.
Useful information
Open: 7:00am to 12:30am and 4:00pm to 7:45pm
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