Church of Santa Caterina dei Funari

The Church of Santa Caterina dei Funari is located in the VIII district – Sant’Eustachio of Rome and is a Renaissance gem with a fascinating history. The current church dates back to the 16th century, built between 1560 and 1564 under the direction of the architect Guidetto Guidetti, a student of Michelangelo, and was funded by Cardinal Federico Cesi. Before this reconstruction, the area housed an older church, granted in 1534 by Pope Paul III to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. The facade of the church, made of travertine, reflects the influences of other Renaissance churches and is particularly inspired by the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. It is divided into two sections by pillars with slightly modified Corinthian capitals. The lower section includes five bays with empty semicircular niches between the pillars, while the upper section is decorated with a central rose window and ornamental coats of arms of the Cesi family. The symbolic decoration includes festoons with palm branches and wheels, representing the martyrdom of Saint Catherine. The interior of the church features a single nave with Corinthian half-columns along the walls and a vaulted ceiling with lunettes. There are three semicircular chapels on each side. The artworks inside are by renowned artists of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The chapel of Santa Margherita houses an altar by Annibale Carracci, while other chapels feature works by Girolamo Muziano and Scipione Pulzone. The main altar is adorned with a “Gloria of Saint Catherine” by Livio Agresti and the apse contains frescoes by Raffaellino da Reggio. In addition to its religious function, the church played an important role in the social life of Rome. After Saint Ignatius of Loyola received the church, he established the Conservatory of Santa Caterina della Rosa, an institution dedicated to the education of poor and homeless girls, protecting them from poverty and prostitution. This charitable initiative provided girls with education and practical skills, preparing them for reintegration into society through marriage or monastic life. The convent adjacent to the church, built later, was demolished in 1940 and was never rebuilt. This part of the complex initially housed the students of the conservatory and the nuns who took care of their education and protection.