Rome Trip Overview
The masterful paintings of 16th-century artist Michelangelo Merisi (1571-1610), better known as Caravaggio, continue to fascinate more than 400 years after his death. The artist’s paintings combine with gritty, realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, and make dramatic use of chiaroscuro. Today Rome hosts about 25 Caravaggio masterpieces that can be viewed by the public: several can be seen in the churches, others by some of the most important art collections in palaces and museums.
Raffaello Sanzio known as Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, which forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. Raphael was enormously productive, running an unusually large workshop and, despite his death at 37, leaving a large body of work. Many of his works are found in the Vatican but also in some churches.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Starts: Rome, Italy
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Rome Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Rome, Lazio, Italy
The masterful paintings of 16th-century artist Michelangelo Merisi (1571-1610), better known as Caravaggio, continue to fascinate more than 400 years after his death. The artist’s paintings combine with gritty, realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, and make dramatic use of chiaroscuro. Today Rome hosts about 25 Caravaggio masterpieces that can be viewed by the public: several can be seen in the churches, others by some of the most important art collections in palaces and museums.
Raffaello Sanzio known as Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, which forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. Raphael was enormously productive, running an unusually large workshop and, despite his death at 37, leaving a large body of work. Many of his works are found in the Vatican but also in some churches.
Stop At: Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo 12 Campo Marzio, 00187 Rome Italy
The origins of the basilica are very unusual. A legend had it that the site where the church was eventually erected by the ghost of Nero, to Roman Emperor that reigned from 54 to 68 AD. On his burial ground had grown to bewitched walnut tree full of crows. To put an end to this myth, Pope Paschal II in 1099 ordered the tree to be cut down and commissioned a Romanesque chapel to be built instead. The chapel was enlarged in 1227 and later reconstructed between 1472 and 1477. In 1513, various of the most influential artists of the period, like Pinturicchio, Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini Santa Maria del Popolo’s decoration is unlike any other church in Rome. The ceiling, less high of most built during the same period, is practically bare, while the decoration of each of the small chapels is especially remarkable.
Among the beautiful art work found in the church, it is worth highlighting the Cerasi Chapel, which houses two canvases by Caravaggio from 1600, and the Chigi Chapel, built and decorated by Raphael.
If you look closely at the wooden benches, you will be able to see the names of the people who are dedicated to you. Like Scotland or Edinburgh, where the families of the deceased buy urban furniture in their honor.
In Rome, therefore, it is worth noting too many visitors. The Basilica of Saint Mary of the People is one of those that are worth visiting, but because of its structure or its façade, but because of its impressively decorated chapels.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Church of St. Louis of the French, Piazza San Luigi de’ Francesi, 00186 Rome Italy
The Church of St. Louis of the French (Saint Louis of the French) is a Roman Catholic church. By Cardinal Giulio de ‘Medici, and designed by the famous Italian architect and sculptor Giacomo della Porta who is also credited with working on many important buildings in Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica. The church’s most famous pieces of art are housed in the Contarelli Chapel. Within the can be found a set of three large paintings by the famous Italian artist Caravaggio which depict major events in the life of Saint Matthew the Evangelist. These paintings are The Calling of St. Matthew, The Inspiration of St. Matthew, and The Martyrdom of St. Matthew. These paintings were his first major church commission and are what cemented his reputation as a painter.
The church is built on the ancient site of the Baths of Agrippa, and the Baths of Black. This land was acquired by the powerful Doctors family in the 1500s, and was later donated by Catherine de Medici to the church. Its construction began in 1518 and was overseen by the Renaissance engineer Domenico Fontana. Despite a halt in the project in 1527 the church finally saw the completion of 1589 thanks to the intervention of the Medicis.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica S. Agostino, Piazza di S. Agostino, 00186 Rome Italy
Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio is an important 15th century minor basilica and parish church in the Sant’Eustachio district. However, this is the location of the main office and the main entrance to the Basilica is on the Piazza Sant’Agostino, rather than just to the north-east of the Piazza Navona. The Madonna of Loreto (or Pilgrim’s Madonna) was commissioned from Caravaggio thanks to legacy by Ermete Cavalletti for the family chapel in Sant’Agostino. The subject was specified by the contract of 1603 as the deceased Marquis was devoted to Our Lady of Loreto.
While the Madonna of Loreto is depicted in her Holy House, the birthplace of Jesus, she has been depicted as a simple commoner in front of a doorway and holding the well Infant Jesus, who blesses pilgrims, common people kneeling down, wearing clothes and dirty, bare feet. The idea of putting Madonna in direct contact with poor pilgrims was absolutely revolutionary and was much criticized.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome Italy
Vittorio Emanuele II and his son Umberto I is placed in front of his wife Queen Margherita of Savoy (for whom pizza margherita was named) The tomb of renowned painter Raphael is also found here. Raphael, who was feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he lived, and when he dies, feared that she herself would die ‘.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Santa Maria della Pace, Vicolo del Arco della Pace 5, Rome Italy
Santa Maria della Pace the church groundwork on the site of the medieval chapel of Sant’Andrea de Acquaricariis. In the end of the 15th century. Pope Sisto IV commissioned its fabrication to Baccio Pontelli. The building while we know today is rebuilt by Pietro da Cortona, whose facade with a semicircular pronaos his architectural masterpiece and one of the greatest achievements of Roman Baroque architecture. After the discovery, the entire square became like a baroque theater, of which the church is an ideal stage. Inside the masterpieces of Raphael, Maderno and the Cloister of Bramante stand out.
Duration: 30 minutes
