Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella)
Mon–Sun: 09:00-17:00
Free
45min
Three Rubens altarpieces in the chancel — rare to see his work outside a major museum.
Piazza della Chiesa Nuova, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
The mother church of the Oratorian order, founded by Saint Philip Neri (the 'saint of joy'). Begun in 1575 to replace an older medieval church (hence 'Chiesa Nuova' — 'New Church'). The chancel holds three monumental altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens — among the very few Rubens paintings in Rome — and ceiling frescoes by Pietro da Cortona showing The Vision of Saint Philip Neri. The adjacent oratory designed by Borromini gave its name to the 'oratorio' as a musical form. Saint Philip is buried in a side chapel; his rooms can be visited by appointment.