Church of Santa Maria Maddalena

The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, located in the Colonna district of Rome, is a splendid example of Rococo architecture. Its construction began in the 17th century and was completed in 1735. The church was initially built on a 14th-century chapel and was entrusted to San Camillo de Lellis in 1586, becoming the central seat of the Camillian order. The facade of the church, completed by Giuseppe Sardi, is a Rococo masterpiece characterized by sinuous curves and rich decorations, earning the church the nickname of “sugar church” for its resemblance to cake decorations. Despite initial criticisms, the facade has become one of the most representative examples of this style in Rome. The interior of the church is equally impressive. The elongated octagonal plan features two chapels on each side. The transept, topped by a dome designed by Carlo Fontana, contains the “big chapel” of San Camillo de Lellis, which houses his mortal remains, and that of San Nicola di Bari. The chapel of the main altar is decorated with frescoes depicting Jesus preaching to the crowds and a very blonde Mary Magdalene on his right. Above the altar, a large painting depicts Mary Magdalene in prayer. Among the works of art preserved in the church, mention must be made of Baciccia’s “Christ, the Virgin, and San Nicola di Bari,” Luca Giordano’s “San Lorenzo Giustiniani adoring the Child,” and Carlo Monaldi’s “Humility.” The Madonna della Salute, in the second chapel to the right of the central nave, is attributed by some to Beato Angelico and dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century. The sacristy of the church is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved in Rome. Decorated in Rococo style, it features a profusion of paintings, volutes, gilding, and polychromy. Particularly noteworthy are the painted wooden cabinets imitating marble alternated with trompe-l’œil windows. On the opposite side, there are the double choir and the pipe organ, with exuberant gilded wooden decoration. The plastic complex dates back to 1706, designed by Giulio Carlo Quadri and executed by Giovan Domenico Barbiani. The white stucco statues of Charity and Hope on the parapet, and Faith and Religion on the organ case, are by Alessandro Richenbach. The organ, built by Giuseppe Testa, was modified several times, losing its original sound profile, and was completely rebuilt in a contemporary neo-Baroque style by the Ruffatti Brothers in 1977.