Church of San Marcello al Corso

The Church of San Marcello al Corso, located along the famous Via del Corso, is one of the most historical and artistically relevant churches in Rome. Dedicated to Pope San Marcello, the church has ancient origins dating back to the 4th century, although the current building was constructed in the 16th century. The facade, designed by Carlo Fontana, is a masterpiece of Roman Baroque, with its elegant Corinthian columns and statues adorning the niches. The interior of the church is equally impressive, with a wide and bright central nave, flanked by richly decorated side chapels. Of particular interest is the 14th-century wooden crucifix, preserved in the Chapel of the Crucifix. This crucifix is linked to a miraculous legend: during a fire that devastated the church in 1519, the crucifix remained intact and was found at the center of the rubble, spared from the flames. This event strengthened popular devotion and led to the construction of the current church. An interesting anecdote concerns the role of the church during the penitential procession of 1522, organized to ask for an end to a terrible plague. The procession, which carried the miraculous crucifix through the streets of Rome, is considered one of the reasons why the plague miraculously stopped.