Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone

The Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, located in Piazza Navona in Rome, is one of the most extraordinary examples of Baroque architecture. Commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1652, the church was initially designed by architects Girolamo and Carlo Rainaldi. However, its realization was influenced by rivalries and contributions from some of the greatest artists of the time, including Francesco Borromini and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The concave facade of the church, one of Borromini’s distinctive elements, represents a revolution in Baroque architecture. This design choice not only optimizes the limited space of Piazza Navona, but also creates a visual effect that allows the church to be seen from any angle of the square. The facade is made of white travertine and features three portals, with the central one surmounted by Corinthian columns supporting a pediment decorated with the coat of arms of the Pamphilj family, to which Innocent X belonged. Inside, the church is laid out in a Greek cross plan, with a large frescoed dome dominating the space. The dome features the fresco of the Apotheosis of Sant’Agnese, started by Ciro Ferri and completed by Sebastiano Corbellini. The pendentives of the dome, painted by Giovanni Battista Gaulli, better known as Baciccia, depict the four Cardinal Virtues. The history of the church is intimately linked to that of Sant’Agnese, a young Christian martyr who, according to tradition, was killed right where the church stands. Sant’Agnese, who refused to marry a pagan and maintained her Christian faith despite torture, is represented in various moments of her life and martyrdom in the church’s decorations. One of the most striking works is the statue of Sant’Agnese in the flames, sculpted by Ercole Ferrata, which represents the miracle of her salvation from the flames before being beheaded. The church contains numerous chapels dedicated to saints and martyrs, each adorned with sculptures and bas-reliefs. Among these are the relief of the Holy Family by Domenico Guidi on the high altar and the sculptures of Saint Emmerentiana and Saint Eustachio by Ercole Ferrata. The Chapel of Sant’Agnese, located in the right arm of the Greek cross, contains a statue of the saint surrounded by angels and symbols of martyrdom. One of the most interesting aspects of the church is the crypt, which houses the remains of Sant’Agnese in a beautifully decorated sarcophagus. This underground space, accessible to visitors, offers an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection, paying tribute to the young martyr and her unwavering faith. The construction of the church was not without controversy and changes in the project. After the death of Pope Innocent X, Borromini was replaced and Carlo Rainaldi returned to oversee the work, making several modifications to Borromini’s original design. These changes included adding another floor to the bell towers and simplifying their upper parts. Additionally, the Pamphilj family also involved Bernini, who contributed with internal decorative elements, such as the pediment above the main entrance and the ornate interior.