Church of Santa Maria Immacolata all'Esquilino

The Church of Santa Maria Immacolata all’Esquilino, located in the Esquilino district of Rome, is a remarkable example of neo-Gothic architecture. Its construction, started in 1901, was completed in 1914 according to the design of the architect Antonio Curri. The church was consecrated by Cardinal Luigi Traglia on April 21, 1942. The exterior of the church is characterized by a neo-Gothic facade, flanked by two bell towers. Above the entrance portal, a mosaic depicts the Immaculate wrapped in a cloak decorated with stars. This iconography emphasizes the Marian character of the church, dedicated to Santa Maria Immacolata. The interior of the church, structured according to the model of aisles with passing chapels, is enriched by a ribbed Gothic vaulted ceiling. The internal mural paintings, created “a secco” using protein-based binders, are the work of the Perugian architect Gina Baldracchini and the Umbrian painter Clelia Argentati. These decorations, which include a starry sky of intense cobalt blue on the intrados of the vaults, give the interior a highly evocative atmosphere. An interesting aspect of the church is the attic, used during the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II as a hiding place for people on the run, including Jews. This space, illuminated by two windows on the side of Via Galilei, testifies to the commitment of the Bigi friars to protect the needy during a period of great danger. The church is currently a subsidiary place of worship of the parish of Santi Marcellino and Pietro al Laterano and, since 2018, is also a diaconate entrusted to Cardinal Deacon Konrad Krajewski. Its historical and architectural importance makes it a significant point of reference in the religious and cultural context of Rome. The building next to the church, which once housed the headquarters of the Congregation of the Friars of Charity and a school run by the Bigi friars, was sold to private individuals in the 1970s and converted into a hotel in the 2000s. This change reflects the urban and social transformations that have affected the area throughout the 20th century. In 2022, the church underwent a major restoration, which included the refurbishment of the facades and the restoration of the original color of the external walls. This intervention has allowed to preserve and enhance the neo-Gothic architectural aspect of the church, making it even more attractive for the faithful and visitors.