Church of Santa Maria della Pace
5 Arco della Pace Roma
From a Bleeding Icon to Bramante’s Beauty, A Church Dedicated to Our Lady of Peace
Mass | Hours | Photos
The Church of Santa Maria della Pace, dedicated to Our Lady of Peace, stands as a Renaissance masterpiece, rich in history and devotion. Commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in 1480, its construction was inspired by a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which, according to tradition, began to bleed after being struck by an intoxicated man. This event was seen as a divine sign, leading to the church’s foundation as a place of prayer and reconciliation.
Next to the church is the Chiostro del Bramante, a cloister designed in 1500 by the famed architect Donato Bramante for the adjoining convent. Today, this serene space serves as a museum and offers a quiet retreat where visitors can enjoy coffee in an atmosphere that blends history, art, and contemplation.
With its graceful Renaissance architecture and a legacy rooted in miracle and faith, Santa Maria della Pace remains a place where pilgrims and visitors alike encounter the peace and beauty of Our Lady’s presence.
Recommended Nearby:
Church of Santa Maria dell'Anima
16th Century Baroque style church that is presently the National Church of Germany in Rome originally comissioned by Pope Innocent III to the the pilgrim church and hospice center for those visiting the Eternal City from the Holy Roman Empire. The church also contains numerous relics including a very notable one of Saint Barbara.
See Also:
Via dei Coronari & Ponte Neighborhood - Walking Tour
The Via dei Coronari is a 15th-16th century Renaissance street that connects Ponte Sant'Angelo to Piazza Navona. Visit three churches along this road in the "Ponte" neighborhood of the Centro Storico that are often overlooked but are filled with beauty and tradition.
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