Roman College

The Roman College is a historically important building located in the center of Rome, a few steps away from Piazza Venezia. Built between 1582 and 1584 by the will of Pope Gregory XIII, the Roman College was established as the headquarters of the school founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola for the Jesuits and for all those who wished to study philosophy and theology. The building, designed by architect Bartolomeo Ammannati, is a remarkable example of Renaissance architecture, with its austere yet elegant facade. Since its foundation, the Roman College became a hub of culture and education in Rome. Its corridors have seen some of the most distinguished scholars and scientists of the time pass through, including the famous Jesuit astronomer Angelo Secchi, who in the 19th century renovated the college’s astronomical observatory, significantly contributing to the development of astrophysics. A prominent feature of the Roman College is its rich library, the Library of Archaeology and Art History, founded in 1874. This library houses a vast collection of books and manuscripts ranging from archaeology to art, serving as an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts. Next to the Roman College is the Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, built between 1626 and 1650 according to the design of Orazio Grassi. This Baroque church is famous for its illusionistic frescoes created by Andrea Pozzo, which create breathtaking perspective effects on the ceiling and walls. The church was built to honor the founder of the Society of Jesus and represents one of the finest examples of Baroque art in Rome. Another important building associated with the Roman College is the Church of Santa Marta al Collegio Romano, founded by Saint Ignatius in 1543 to rehabilitate women considered of bad reputation. This church, now deconsecrated and used as a cultural center, still retains some of its stucco decorations and the ceiling frescoed by Baciccio. Over the centuries, the Roman College has undergone numerous changes, especially after the unification of Italy when, in 1870, the buildings were requisitioned by the Italian government. Since then, the building has been used for various purposes, including as a headquarters for scientific and academic institutions. The Roman College is also known for its astronomical observatory, founded by Christoph Clavius in the 16th century and made famous by Angelo Secchi. This observatory was one of the first to use the telescope for astronomical observations, significantly contributing to the scientific discoveries of the time. The Merz telescope, one of the most advanced of its time, was located in this observatory, making it a reference point for astronomers throughout Europe.