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Chiesa del Gesù

The Church of the Gesù is the mother church of the Jesuits in Rome. St Ignatius of Loyola promoted its construction in 1551, and after several design proposals, including one by Michelangelo in 1554, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese chose Vignola as architect in 1561. Work began in 1568 and Giacomo della Porta completed the façade and the building around 1575. With its single nave and side chapels, it served as a model for many later Baroque churches. Inside, the highlights are the vault painted by Giovanni Battista Gaulli, known as Baciccia, with the "Triumph of the Name of Jesus", and the Chapel of St Ignatius, decorated by Andrea Pozzo with lapis lazuli and gilded bronze. The marble cladding of the nave was added between 1858 and 1861. It stands in Piazza del Gesù, in the heart of the historic centre. Next to it, the Casa Professa preserves the rooms of St Ignatius, also decorated by Pozzo.

Things to do at Chiesa del Gesù: 3 missions

• Study Giacomo della Porta's façadeFrom Piazza del Gesù, look at the façade that Della Porta completed around 1575 and pick out the upper and lower levels.
• Look for Pozzo's Chapel of St IgnatiusFind the Chapel of St Ignatius, decorated by Andrea Pozzo with lapis lazuli and gilded bronze, and take in those materials.
• Look up at the Triumph of the Name of JesusInside, look up and find the vault painted by Baciccia with the Triumph of the Name of Jesus.

Near Chiesa del Gesù

Source: Web oficial - Chiesa del Gesù