Basilica of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini
2 Via Acciaioli Roma
Where St. Philip Neri started the Oratory that also first took care of people affected by the bubonic plague
Standing along the banks of the Tiber near the heart of Rome, the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini is the national church of the Florentine community and a place deeply connected to the spiritual renewal of the Catholic Church in the 16th century. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence, the basilica reflects both the artistic heritage of Florence and Rome’s role as the center of the Church.
Construction began in the early 16th century and involved some of the greatest architects of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Giacomo della Porta, and Carlo Maderno, who designed the elegant dome. The church’s refined interior and harmonious proportions express a union of faith, beauty, and humanist ideals.
A treasured element of the basilica is its relic of Saint Mary Magdalene, honoring the saint who was the first witness to the Resurrection of Christ. Her presence here highlights themes of repentance, mercy, and faithful discipleship—values central to Christian life and devotion.
San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini also holds a special place in the life of Saint Philip Neri, the “Apostle of Rome.” He frequently celebrated Mass here, and it was in this church that he died in 1595, surrounded by his spiritual sons. From Philip’s pastoral ministry—rooted in prayer, confession, preaching, and joyful charity—emerged the Congregation of the Oratory, whose early spiritual life is closely linked to this basilica.
Today, San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini stands not only as a monument of sacred art and Florentine identity, but also as a witness to the beginnings of the Oratorian movement and the enduring legacy of Saint Philip Neri’s gentle yet transformative spirituality.
See Also:
Chiesa Nuova - Santa Maria in Vallicella
Visit the Tuscan city where St. Catherine grew up and lived as a nun. See her relics at the Basilica of San Domenico and take a stroll to Piazza del Campo, home to the famous Palio horse race. See the map for all the sites related to her life and legacy.
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