The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso is incorporated in the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome. The church contains works of art by Bernini, Federico Zuccari and others.
A brief history of the basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso in Rome
San Lorenzo in Damaso was probably founded in the house of Pope San Damaso I. The original church was destroyed in the 15th century, to make way for the Palazzo della Cancelleria. It was subsequently rebuilt, incorporated in the new building. The architect responsibel for the reconstruction was Bramante. On December 31, 1939, a fire in the Palazzo della Cancelleria caused serious damage to the roof of the church.
What to see
Exterior
Since the church is part of the palazzo, there is no real facade to speak of. The entrance is through the door on the left of the building. There is a second entrance, designed by Vignola, in the Piazza della Cancelleria around the corner.
Interior
The double atrium opens up into a three nave church. The two statues at the beginning of the central aisle represent the saints Francesco Xavier (left) and Carlo Borromeo.
In the vestibule, the first chapel on the right was designed by Nicola Salvi. The chapel contains works of art by Sebastiano Conca (“Virgin with Saints Philip Neri and Nicholas”) and Corrado Giaquinto “ceiling features a fresco depicting (ceiling fresco depicting “Eternity appearing to Saint Nicholas”).
The altar, containing the mortal remains of San Damaso, is located under below a baldachin. The latter was designed by the neoclassical architect Virginio Vespignani. The altarpiece depicting the “Coronation of the Virgin” was the work of Federico Zucchari and dates back to 1568.
The funerary monument of Alessandro Voltrini (1639) was designed by Bernini.
A highlight is the tomb of Massimiliano Camillo VIII Massimo and his wife, Princess Maria Cristina of Saxony. A papal dignitary, when Napoleon occupied the Papal States, he chose exile over collaboration. Upon his return to Rome, Pope Pius VII rewarded his loyalty by assigning him important positions and naming him the first Prince of Arsoli.
The “Musician Angels” fresco was the work of Cavalier d’Arpino.
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament contains a 12th-century icon of the Virgin Mary, known as Madonna Haghiosoritissa. It was transferred from Santa Maria in Grottapinta, a deconsecrated church transformed in exhibition space, in 1465. The fresco depicting a biblical allegory is by Andrea Casali.
One of the windows is decorated with the coat of arms of Pius XII, who was pope during the restoration after the fire of 1939.