Church of Santa Maria in Aquiro

The Church of Santa Maria in Aquiro, located in Piazza Capranica in Rome, is a Catholic place of worship with a history dating back to at least the 8th century. Its initial construction is attributed to Pope Gregory III, who significantly restored it between 731 and 741, transforming a small pre-existing oratory. The church has undergone numerous restorations and reconstructions over the centuries. In 1389, Pope Urban VI named it Santa Maria della Visitazione. In the 16th century, it was entrusted to the Confraternity of Orphans, who rebuilt it in Renaissance style around 1590 under the supervision of Cardinal Anton Maria Salviati. During this period, two new welfare structures were created: the Orphanage of Santa Maria in Aquiro and the Salviati College. The current facade, completed by Pietro Camporese in 1774, features typical elements of Baroque architecture, with sober and harmonious decorations that blend perfectly into the urban context. Between 1861 and 1866, the church was further restored by the architect Gaetano Morichini, who improved its structure and aesthetic appearance. The interior of the church is equally rich in history and art. Before the restoration of 1590, the church had a single apse and two minor altars, consecrated in 1179 and 1295 respectively, with aisles divided by sixteen columns. Under the main apse, a Byzantine mosaic design, rediscovered in the 19th century, testifies to the antiquity and continuity of Marian devotion in this place. The most important artwork in the church is a 14th-century painting depicting the Madonna and Child with Saint Stephen.