Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria
17 Via XX Settembre Roma
The Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, a Carmelite sanctuary, stands as a place of Marian devotion and Baroque splendor. Originally a chapel dedicated to St. Paul, the church received its present name in honor of the Catholic victory at the Battle of White Mountain on November 8, 1620. This triumph, attributed to divine intervention, is linked to the miraculous image of Mary, which played a pivotal role in the battle. According to tradition, Father Domenico di Gesù e Maria, chaplain to the Catholic army, carried a small portrait of the Blessed Virgin in adoration of the Child. At a critical moment, rays of light were said to emanate from the image, blinding the enemy forces and securing victory.
Inside, the church’s most renowned masterpiece is Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, a dramatic sculpture that captures the mystical vision of the great Carmelite saint. Depicting St. Teresa in a state of divine rapture, the work is one of the most celebrated expressions of Baroque spirituality.
Just outside, visitors can admire the Fountain of Moses, a grand monument marking the completion of Rome’s Acqua Felice aqueduct. As a sanctuary of Marian miracles and artistic genius, Santa Maria della Vittoria remains a place where history, faith, and beauty converge.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You, inspired by the beauty and devotion found in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. We give thanks for this sacred space dedicated to Our Lady, whose intercession secured victory at the Battle of White Mountain.
As we reflect on Bernini’s masterpiece, the Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, may we too be drawn into a deeper union with You, filled with the fire of Your divine love.
We ask for the grace to witness the miraculous in our own lives, just as the rays of light from the image of Mary once guided Your faithful to triumph.
May all who enter this sanctuary experience peace, inspiration, and a renewed spirit, united in the love of Christ and Our Blessed Mother.
Through the intercession of St. Teresa and the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we grow in faith and be ever mindful of Your presence in our lives.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Recommended Nearby:
Chiesa del Gesù
The mother church of the Jesuit order, Chiesa del Gesù, like Santa Maria della Vittoria, embodies the height of Baroque artistic and theological expression, featuring dramatic frescoes and an ornate ceiling that immerses visitors in the Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on sensory religious experience.
See Also:
Best of Art in Rome's Churches - Self Guided Tour
Religious paintings and sculpultures are typically meant to be viewed in sacred spaces. Rome's churches hold worldclass works from the Renaissance and Baroque period's greatest artists. These works still remain in the places for which they were initially intended. They enrich the atmosphere around the liturgy, and they help guide the prayer experience calling to mind moments of the Gospel and Lives of the Saints. Here are some key places to visit in Rome to get you started.
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