Church of Santa Maria ai Monti
41 Via della Madonna dei Monti Roma
The Church of Santa Maria ai Monti, a hidden gem in the Monti district, stands on the site of an ancient Poor Clare monastery, its foundation rooted in miracle and devotion. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and designed by Giacomo della Porta, construction began in 1588, following the miraculous healing of a blind woman at this very location. The event took place before a Marian icon, which remains enshrined above the main altar, continuing to inspire pilgrims and the faithful.
The church’s vaulted ceiling is adorned with a 17th-century fresco by Cristoforo Casolani, depicting the Ascension of Christ, surrounded by angels and Doctors of the Church, a vision of glory and divine wisdom. To the left of the nave, a side chapel holds the tomb of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, the humble French mendicant who renounced his wealthy background to embrace a life of poverty and prayer. He died in 1783 in a house near the church, where he was deeply loved by the Roman people for his simplicity and holiness.
A place of prayer, art, and miraculous grace, Santa Maria ai Monti remains a cherished sanctuary in one of Rome’s oldest neighborhoods, where faith and history continue to unfold in quiet reverence.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
In the serenity of Santa Maria ai Monti, we come seeking Your grace, inspired by faith and history intertwined in devotion.
Lord Jesus,
Before the healing Marian icon, we open our hearts to Your presence, trusting in Your power to work miracles in our lives.
Holy Spirit,
As we admire the fresco of the Ascension, fill us with divine wisdom and guide us to deeper understanding.
In the chapel of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, may his humility inspire us to seek closeness to You above worldly desires.
May this sacred space deepen our devotion and draw us ever closer to Your heart.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Recommended Nearby:
Church of Sant'Agata dei Goti
This church is dedicated to the martyr, St. Agatha. Although the exact date of construction is unknown, this church is thought to have been built in the middle of the 5th Century. The first known restorations occurred during the pontificate of Pope Leo II at the beginning of the 9th Century.
See Also:
Rome - Monti Neighborhood - Self Guided Tour
In Italian, Monti means "Hills". It's the first of Rome's 22 Rioni, or neighborhoods, and it's just steps away from the Colloseum. In this video, we share some beautiful hidden gems in the neighborhood and introduce you to significant, yet lesser known churches.
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