Chiesa del Ss.mo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The church floor plan features a single wide nave without aisles, intended to direct focus toward the high altar and pulpit.

2. 2

   The 'Triumph of the Name of Jesus' fresco includes a unique illusion where painted shadows fall onto the real architectural molding of the ceiling.

3. 3

   The bronze urn containing the relics of Saint Ignatius is located beneath a life-sized silver statue, which is a modern replacement for the original melted down by the French in the 18th century.

4. 4

   A mechanical device in the Altar of Saint Ignatius physically lowers a painting to reveal the statue during the daily 'miraculous' display.

5. 5

   The church contains the severed right arm of Saint Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit order, displayed in a dedicated chapel.

6. 6

   The central nave was specifically designed to ensure excellent acoustics for Jesuit preachers to address large congregations.

7. 7

   The church’s dome was designed by Giacomo della Porta, though the interior paintings inside the drum were added by Giovanni Battista Gaulli.

Overview

The Chiesa del Gesù serves as the mother church of the Society of Jesus and the primary model for Jesuit Baroque architecture worldwide. Its facade, designed by Giacomo della Porta, introduced the stylistic template for countless churches across the globe. The interior features the 'Triumph of the Name of Jesus' ceiling fresco by Giovanni Battista Gaulli, known as Il Baciccio, which utilizes trompe l'oeil and stucco figures to blur the line between architecture and painting. The church houses the remains of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, located in the Altar of Saint Ignatius. The altar is notable for its heavy use of lapis lazuli, gold, and bronze, and features a hidden mechanism that reveals a statue of the saint during daily devotional displays. The church was commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and consecrated in 1584. It stands at the intersection of the Jesuit headquarters and the historic center of Rome.

Insider tips

• Visit during the late afternoon display of the Altar of Saint Ignatius to witness the mechanical reveal of the statue.

• Bring a small flashlight or coin for the coin-operated lighting boxes if you wish to illuminate specific chapels in detail.

• Take time to examine the ceiling from the center of the nave to fully appreciate the anamorphic perspective of the fresco.