Basilica di Sant'Andrea della Valle

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The dome is the third largest in Rome, following St. Peter's and the Pantheon.

2. 2

   The church holds the mortal remains of Pope Pius II and his nephew, Pope Pius III.

3. 3

   The interior contains frescoes by Domenichino in the pendentives, which are considered masterpieces of Baroque painting.

4. 4

   The construction lasted from 1590 until 1650, involving multiple architectural transitions between Renaissance and Baroque styles.

5. 5

   It is the setting for the dramatic Te Deum scene in the opera Tosca.

6. 6

   The church was built on the site of the former Palazzo Piccolomini.

7. 7

   The facade is one of the tallest in Rome, reaching a height of 46 meters.

8. 8

   The interior is famously one of the largest in Rome, characterized by a massive single-nave layout.

Overview

Basilica di Sant'Andrea della Valle is a major 17th-century Baroque church located in the heart of Rome. It features the second-highest dome in the city, surpassed only by St. Peter's Basilica. The structure was designed by architects Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, with a façade completed by Carlo Rainaldi. The interior is renowned for its vast nave and ornate frescoes, including the dome's depiction of the Glory of Paradise by Giovanni Lanfranco. It serves as the mother church of the Theatine Order. The church is famous as the primary setting for the first act of Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Tosca. Its crypt contains the tombs of two popes, Pius II and Pius III. The church also houses important works by Domenichino, including the frescoes in the pendentives.

Insider tips

• Look closely at the corner pendentives under the dome to see Domenichino's early Baroque frescoes.

• Visit the crypt to view the historically significant papal tombs.

• Keep an eye out for the commemorative plaques referencing the opera Tosca near the entrance.