Piazza del Popolo: the twin churches

Piazza del Popolo by Simona Albanese

Piazza del Popolo is an oval shaped square and is remarkable because of the twin churches, Santa Maria di Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli designed by Carlo Rainaldi and commissioned by pope Alexander VII in 1658. 

The original project was for two twin churches, but during the construction various necessary modifications were made. The architect, Carlo Rainaldi, finished the construction of Santa Maria di Montesanto in 1675 and began the work on the neighboring Santa Maria dei Miracoli, and the work was completed in 1681. 

In the early 19th century the domes were restored and covered in slate tiles, an unusual technique in Rome. Santa Maria di Montesanto is known as "The church of the artists" because of its proximity to via del Babuino and Via Margutta, a famous artist street, making the church a common venue for the funerals of artists, film directors and letterati.

 

Both churches are rich of decorations, especially for the allegorical stuccoes, produced by Antonio Raggi, a pupil of Gianlorenzo Bernini.

There are three streets departing from the square, referred to us as the Tridente. 

On the left, Via del Babuino, which will take you directly to the Spanish Steps, after you have look around the nice beautiful shops along the road. At the center Via del Corso which runs up to Piazza Venezia, where is the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, and on the right, Via Ripetta, which will take you near the Ara Pacis, on Piazza Augusto Imperatore.

Last, but not less important is an outstanding obelisk at the center of the square to commemorate the conquest of Egypt by Augustus in 10 BC. 

The obelisk was moved from its original place at Circus Maximus by Pope Sixtus V in 1589.

and leaving the churches on your back and looking on the other side...towards Via Flaminia...which important church is there? ....

to the next posting...