Basilica of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte

The Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte is one of the most fascinating and least known churches in Rome. Located in the heart of the city, a few steps from Piazza di Spagna, this basilica is a jewel of Baroque architecture, with a history rich in art and spirituality. The church was built in the 17th century according to the design of Francesco Borromini, one of the greatest Baroque architects. However, the facade was only completed in the 19th century by Pasquale Belli. The interior of the basilica is a riot of Baroque decorations, with frescoes, stuccoes, and precious marbles adorning the chapels and the central nave. A particularly interesting element is the main altar, designed by Borromini himself, and decorated with a painting by Borgognone depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew. But the true masterpiece of the basilica is the statues of angels placed at the entrance of the presbytery, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These statues, originally intended for the Ponte Sant’Angelo, are considered among Bernini’s most beautiful and evocative works, with their expression of grace and lightness. An interesting anecdote concerns the miraculous conversion of Alfonso Ratisbonne, a French Jew, which took place in this church in 1842. After a vision of the Virgin Mary, Ratisbonne converted to Catholicism and became a priest. This event is commemorated by a chapel in the basilica, dedicated to the Madonna of the Miracle.