Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Is A Popular Church Not To Miss

Located right behind the Pantheon in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is a popular spot with a hidden beauty that shouldn’t be skipped.

I would think that most people, while walking around the Pantheon, would notice the beautiful elephant statue by Bernini and the Egyptian obelisk mounted on top of it. They might miss the church directly behind it because of the simplicity of the façade. The simplicity outside the church is strongly contrasted by the ornate decorations you will experience when you decide to check out the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

What Is The Story Of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva?

This church was built above the ruins of a temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis, which is how its name was derived. Sopra, is Italian for above, and Minerva is the Greco-Roman goddess who is the equivalent of the Egyptian goddess Isis. It was common for Greeks to convert the names of foreign gods to their own.

Despite the understated exterior of the building that was done in the Renaissance style, the elaborate interior features Gothic vaultings and trimmings. These were added during a 19th century restoration in the neo-Gothic style.

Who Is Buried In Santa Maria Sopra Minerva?

The centerpiece of the altar in this church is the Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. She was a Catholic mystic who got involved in Italian politics through her writings and advocacy. 

I found this tomb a bit different from others I’ve seen around Rome and beyond in that the back of the tomb is open to the faithful. It looked like the tomb was covered in prayers written on small pieces of parchment that were placed by entering the back. This was a bit jarring for me because when I first approached the tomb, there was a nun standing inside, clearly alive, which was not what I was expecting. As I rounded the side, the full picture revealed itself to me, and I understood.

The Michelangelo’s Risen Christ

One of the most important pieces of art in the basilica, according only to me, is the Risen Christ statue by Michelangelo from 1521 that sits to the left of the Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. This marble statue is easily missed in the dark church because even though it is easily seen, the lack of focus on the statue diminishes its importance. I did notice that there might have been a light you could pay to turn on, which is common around Rome churches with free admission, but it looked disassembled and not able to be turned on.

A noteworthy feature of this statue, which is actually the second version of it, is the floating bronze loincloth that was added later to cover the genitals from view. This prudish behavior of the church done to artwork after its completion isn’t unique, but in some cases has led to damaging some of the most amazing artwork ever made. It is unclear if the statue is damaged, so for now let’s hope not.

The Ceiling Of Sopra Minerva

The beauty of something you find in Rome is always subjective, of course, but I believe some are universal. The Spanish Steps, The Colosseum and Piazza Navona are (almost) universally admired. It appears that the ceiling of the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, while acknowledged, isn’t as celebrated and I think that is a shame. The deep blues and gold stars pierce the overall darkness of the church, and when the sunlight hits correctly, it makes the experience even more brilliant. The statues and frescoes are great too, but don’t forget to look up!

The Bernini Elephant And The Obelisk

In front of the church, in the Piazza della Minerva, there is a statue designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini of an elephant as the supporting base for the Egyptian obelisk. It is the shortest of the eleven Egyptian obelisks in Rome and one of two obelisks brought to Rome by Diocletian, with the other being in Urbino. 

I’ve posted before about the vandalism caused by bad tourist behavior in Italy, and this elephant is no exception. In 2016, Police investigated the apparent vandalism of the Elephant and Obelisk statue designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the Piazza della Minerva in Rome. Rome cultural authorities had said that vandals broke off the tip of the elephant’s left tusk, which authorities recovered at the foot of the statue close to the Pantheon.

How To Reach The Basilica

I’m going to assume you are already familiar with how to find the Pantheon. Once there, go around the left side and keep an eye out for Bernini’s elephant statue. Once you find it the church is directly behind it. 

The church is open daily from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, and then again 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A mass is held on holidays at 7:15 AM and on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Is Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Free?

The church is free to enter, but there are plenty of opportunities to spend money. Most notably, there are pictures and pamphlets with additional information about the church that “require” a donation, although I couldn’t find a recommended amount. Also, like the Michelangelo statue, there are lights that you can pay to turn on all around the various artworks. They aren’t required, but my experience is that they definitely help enjoy their beauty.

More Popular Sites Near The Pantheon And The Obelisks