Basilica of Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio
P.za di S. Agostino Roma Roma
The Basilica of Sant’Agostino, located in Piazza Sant’Agostino, holds the distinction of being one of Rome’s first Renaissance churches and the final resting place of Saint Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Originally built in the 14th century, the church was rebuilt between 1479 and 1483 under the patronage of Cardinal Guillaume d’Estouteville, with architects Jacopo di Pietrasanta and Sebastiano Fiorentino leading the project. In the 18th century, Luigi Vanvitelli transformed the church’s interior, dome, and façade, incorporating travertine stone from the Colosseum into its construction.
Within its sacred walls, the basilica houses a wealth of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Among them is Raphael’s fresco of the Prophet Isaiah (1512) and Sansovino’s Madonna del Parto (1516), a revered image of the Blessed Virgin. The church is also home to Caravaggio’s Madonna of the Pilgrims (1604), a striking depiction of humble devotion, and a Byzantine icon enshrined in the main altar, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Pilgrims visit the tomb of St. Monica, honoring the mother whose unceasing prayers led to the conversion of St. Augustine, one of the Church’s greatest theologians. As a place of prayer, art, and history, Sant’Agostino remains a sanctuary where faith and culture come together in devotion to God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We gather in gratitude at the Basilica of Sant’Agostino, a place where the beauty of faith and the splendor of art unite in Your glory. We honor the sacred resting place of St. Monica, whose unwavering prayers and love led to the conversion of her son, St. Augustine.
As we stand amidst these hallowed walls, adorned with masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque, may we be inspired by the devotion and humility depicted in these works.
Grant us the grace to follow the example of St. Monica, persisting in prayer and faith, even when the path is uncertain. May all who visit this sanctuary find solace, inspiration, and renewal in their spiritual journey.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Recommended Nearby:
Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Both churches are among Rome’s most significant Renaissance-era Marian sites. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, like Sant’Agostino, houses important works of art, including Michelangelo’s Christ the Redeemer and frescoes by Filippino Lippi, complementing Sant’Agostino’s Madonna di Loreto by Caravaggio.
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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