 Introduction
History
The name of the basilica S.Maria in Aracoeli reminds a legend, according to which Augustus built here an altar “Ara primogeniti Dei”, having had a vision of Virgin, after the Tiburtine Sibyl predicted the birth of Christ. Nevertheless originally the church was named S.Maria de Capitolio, and the later name “in Aracoeli” was derived from an inscription on the 12th century altar mentioning the “ara” of Augustus.
In the Middle Ages the basilica was a kind of forum or political- administrative center of Rome with the popular meetings and discussions. And even at present it still maintains its importance used by Commune of Rome for official religious rites.
During the French occupation in 1797, the basilica was de-consecrated and adapted for stables. But after the fall of Napoleon, it returned to its religious functions.
The present Romanesque-Gothic aspect of the church was created in the early 14th century. The facade was probably covered by mosaics, and later by frescoes, but at present it is absolutely nude. In its center are the traces of disappeared clock, the first public clock in Rome placed here in 1412. The vast interior conserved its original aspect and Franciscan atmosphere.
Location
Transit: Bus 44, 46, or 75.
What's to see
The stairs leading up to the church are impressive - 124 wide steps steeply ascending the Capitol hill. It was designed by L. di Simone Andreozzi in 1348, donated as thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague. The church was decorated with frescoes by Pietro Cavallini, but tragically they were sacrificed in the redecorations carried out in the late 16th century. Only one of them may have been partially preserved: a fresco of the Madonna and Child enthroned between Sts Matthew and John is attributed to Cavallini; however, it may be a 15th century Sienese work. It can be seen on the fourth column on the left side, counting from the entrance.
Among the tombs in the floor is that of Francesco Cardinal Mantica, made cardinal in 1801. There are three aisles, divided by 22 columns salvaged from other buildings. One of them - the third on the left, again counting from the entrance - has the words IN CUBICULO AUGUSTORUM carved on it, and it is said that it comes from one of the bedrooms (cubicula) of the palaces of the Emperors on the Palatine.
The wooden ceiling is decorated with a painting of the Battle of Lepanto (1571, painted 1575), with the Virgin Mary and the Holy Child in the middle.
In the sanctuary, there is a Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child, known as the Madonna d'Aracoeli. It is painted on beech wood, and is traditionally dated to the 11th century. Some scholars claim that it might be older, perhaps as old as the 6th century; they connect it with the Greek monks who built the first church here. This icon was venerated and carried through the streets of Rome during the great plague of 1348, and the short duration of that plague is ascribed to the intercession of the Madonna of Aracoeli. It was crowned in 1636, but the crown was stolen by French troops in 1797. A new crown was added in 1938, and in 1949 the Roman people were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary before this icon. Raphael's Madonna of Foligno hung here from 1512 to 1565; it is now in the Vatican gallery. The tomb of Sigismondo Conti, who commissioned the painting, is in the pavement on the right side.
To the right of the entrance is the tomb of Archdeacon Giovanni Crivelli, signed by Donatello. The tombstone was seemingly designed to the set into the floor, but it has been left standing - probably because of the artist's signature. It was made 1432-1433, and is now very worn. On the same side is also the tomb of Cardinal d'Albret by Andrea Bregno.
On the left-hand side is the tomb of the astronomer Ludovico Grato Margani (died 1531). It is by the school of Andrea Sansovino, and the master himself made the figure of Christ.
On the right-hand side, the first chapel has early Renaissance paintings of the life of St Bernardino of Siena by Pinturicchio, painted c. 1480-1485. Note that the Burial of the Saint on the left-hand wall slants to the right to adjust for the position of the viewer standing just outside the chapel. The frescoes were restored by Vincenzo Camuccini.
Between the second and third chapels (Cappella della Pieta and Cappella di San Bonaventura) is a colossal statue of Pope Gregory XIII by Pier Paolo Olivieri (16th century).
Cappella de San Pietro d'Alcantar has been recently restored it has 16th century paintings by Girolamo Muziano. The next chapel was designed by Giovanni Battista Contini in the 17th century. By the side entrance is a monument to Pietro da Vicenza by Andrea Sansovino on the right side, and the tomb of Cecchino Bracchi (died 1545) on the left. The latter was made by Pietro Urbano after a design by Michelangelo.
The Cappella di San Pasquale has two paintings by Daniele Seiter, in the style of Caravaggio.
In the Cappella di San Francesco you will find the tomb of Fra Juniper, a companion of St Frances known from the Fioretti.
The tombs of Pope Honorius IV (1285-1287) and Luca Savelli (made c.1287) are just outside the chapel, in the right arm of the transept. The latter is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. The papal tomb was designed for Vana Aldobrandeschi, wife of Luca Savelli and mother of Pope Honorius IV.
In the Cappella del Santo Bambino (chapel of the Holy Child), there is a copy of the Santissimo Bambino. The 15th century original, made from olive wood from the Garden of Gethsemane, is kept in the sacristy (except at Christmas), and you may ask to see it - or actually, the copy which has replaced it since the original was stolen in 1994. It is not the most beautiful of statues, but many miraculous cures have been attributed to it. The church gets many letters addressed to the Holy Child, and these are placed before the statue unopened - they're for the Holy Child, not for the priests. The colossal statue of Pope Leo X was made in 1514 by D. Aimo. In the corner is the early 14th century tomb of Cardinal Matteo d'Acquasparta (died 1303), with a mosaic attributed to Cavallini. In another corner you can find the gravestone of Felis de Fredis. He was the man who found the Laocöon, the great statue of the Trojan pagan priest Laocoon and his two sons, now in the Vatican Museums.
In the left-hand transept, the 17th century chapel of St. Helena has a cosmatesque altar, and a 12th century figure of Mary appearing to a kneeling Augustus. Relics of St Helena are kept in an urn stored in an 18th century monument in the shape of an octagonal temple. Through a grille at the foot of the monument, you can see some early Christian sculpture. St Frances of Rome is said to have levitated while praying in this chapel. It was reconstructed in the 19th century.
The Cappella di San Michele, dedicated to St Michael the Archangel, was designed by Carlo Rainaldi. In the Cappella di San Paolo is the painting of St Paul the Apostle is by Girolamo Muziano. On the left is the tomb of Filippo della Valle, made c. 1494 by Michele Marini or by the school of Andrea Riccio. Cappella di Sant'Antonio contain's a fresco painted in c. 1450 by Benozzo Gozzoli. On the right is the Tomb of Antonio Albertoni, made c. 1509.
Useful information
Open: Daily 9am-noon and 3:30-5:30pm
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