Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva

The Basilica on the Minerva: A Gothic Marvel

The Basilica on the Minerva, also known as the Church of Santa Maria on the Minerva, is a minor basilica located in Piazza della Minerva, in the Pantheon district of Rome. Founded in the 8th century, rebuilt in the 13th century, and regularly modified until the 19th century, it is one of the few Roman churches with a dominant Gothic style. Like other ancient churches in Rome, it is built on the foundations of an ancient place of worship dedicated to the Roman deity Minerva.

History: From Ancient Origins to Gothic Splendor

Little information is available about the Temple of Minerva, which is believed to have been built by Pompey around 50 BC. A temple dedicated to Isis and Serapis is also said to have existed on the site of the church, as in 1665, an Egyptian obelisk was discovered in the garden of the adjacent Dominican convent.

The crypt of the church contains some ancient remains, and it is likely that the temple persisted until the reign of Pope Zachary (741-752), who offered the site to monks from the East. The original church, dating back to the 8th century, disappeared, and the current building owes its existence to the Dominicans, who received ownership from Pope Alexander IV in the 13th century. The Dominicans then undertook the construction of a new church and a convent.

Indeed, the Dominicans wanted to erect a new and modern church to house their headquarters in Rome. Two religious figures, Fra Sisto Fiorentino and Fra Ristoro da Campi, who had participated in the construction of the Santa Maria Novella Church in Florence, began the construction of the new building in 1280, during the pontificate of Nicholas III. Pope Boniface VIII generously funded the work, and the church was completed in 1370.

A Transformed Gem Throughout the Centuries

Subsequently, the Basilica on the Minerva has been renovated and modified several times. Carlo Maderno, among others, gave it a classical facade, and it was restored in the neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. The church doors date back to the 15th century. In 1557, Pope Paul IV established the cardinal title of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, associated with this church.

The church also houses illustrious figures, such as Saint Catherine of Siena, buried in the church, and Fra Angelico, the Renaissance painter, who died in the adjoining convent and was buried in the chapel to the left of the choir. Additionally, the popes Paul IV, Leo X, and Clement VII rest in the choir, in tombs created in 1541 by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The Basilica on the Minerva was also the site of two conclaves, in March 1431 and March 1447, which respectively led to the election of Popes Eugene IV and Nicholas V.

Today, a white marble slab honors Cardinal Howard of Norfolk, who passed away in 1694 and is buried in the church.

A Gothic Treasure at the Heart of Rome

The Basilica on the Minerva is a gothic architectural treasure at the heart of Rome. Its unique blend of styles and fascinating history make it an unmissable destination for art and history enthusiasts. When visiting this extraordinary basilica, you will be transported through the centuries and discover the hidden treasures of ancient Rome.