Piazza di San Ignazio - Piazzas of Italy by Ultimate Italy

Piazza Di San Ignazio

The piazza di San Ignazio is situated between Via del Corso and the pantheon. It is in front of the church of San Ignazio. It has two palaces designed by Filippo Raguzinni framing it on the other side. It is a good example of 18th century urban planning.

After the death and canonization of Saint Ignatius of Loyola by Pope Gregory XV it was deemed fit to build a church in his honour. The church of San Ignazio was built between 1626 and 1650 by Orazio Grassi S. J. Cardinal Ludovici, a nephew of Pope Gregory XV, funded it. The Jesuits serve the church.

Allessandro Algardi designed the façade of the church. It has two stories with Corinthian columns, cornices and a large window. In 1650 Allesandro Algardi sculpted the statues of Glory and Religion.

The interior is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross. It is decorated in Baroque style. This church has beautiful fresco paintings by Father Andrea Pozzo. One of the best ones is called the Glory of Ignatius. It depicts St. Ignatius being welcomed into paradise by Christ and the Virgin Mary. In this fresco Pozzo has created the illusion of looking up at the sky through open colonnades. Pozzo also creates scenes from the life of St. Ignatius. One depicts the defense of Pamplona where St. Ignatius was wounded in the leg. This is a historical event as it leads to his conversion. Another depicts the divine assurance he received in the chapel of Saint Storta.

There are also scenes from the life of St. Francis Xavier and St. Francis Borgia. Father Pozzo also designed the altar. However his ultimate triumph is the painting the trompe l’oeil ceiling.

Pozzo painted a false dome on the nave on a canvas that is 17 metres wide. He did this since it was found too expensive to build a dome. The effect is startling. It follows a rare and perfect plan of perspective. It gives the visitor an impression of optical illusion.

St. Aloysius Gonzanga is interred here in an urn of lapis lazuli. There is a relief depicting the Glory of St. Aloysius Gonzanga by Pierre Legros. This was painted in 1650. St. Robert Bellarmine is also buried here.

A visit to piazza San Ignazio is a must as the church of San Ignazio is definitely worth visiting.