The neo-Gothic church of Sant’Alfonso all’Esquilino is located at the corner of the Via Merulana and the Via di San Vito in Rome. The official name in English is Church of St. Alphonsus Liguari.
A brief history
The Chiesa di Sant’Alfonso all’Esquilino is considered one of the first examples of a Gothic revival in religious architecture. The church was built between 1855 and 1859 by George Wigley and restored in the early years of the 20th century by Maximilian Schmalzl.
The site of the church used to belong to the 17th century Villa Caetani. It is dedicated to the founder of the Order of the Redemptorists founded in 1732. The official name of the church is therefore Santissimo Redentore e Sant’Alfonso de Liguori in Via Merulana.
What to see
The materials used for the facade are brick and marble (for the three portals). The pointed arch above the central portal contains a lunette with a mosaic. The mosaic depicts “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” The façade itself, decorated with a rose window, also ends in a pointed arch. This is under a pointed roof, just as the pointed arch of the portal sits within a pointed tympanum. The statue on this tympanum depicts the Savior Himself.
The church is built above the present street level and its entrance is therefore reached by a high, steep staircase.
The interior consists of three naves and is richly decorated with mosaics.
The apse is crowned by a mosaic, put in place in 1964, depicting the “Redeemer enthroned between the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph”.
The most striking piece of art is another “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” painted in the 14th century. The work originated in Crete and was donated by Pope Pius IX in 1866.
Most of the interior decorations are the work of the Bavarian painter Maximilian Schmalzl. The same artist was also responsible for the design of the altar and frescoes in the Bavarian Chapel of the church of San Gioacchino ai Prati.
Useful information
Address: Via Merulana, 31 – Rome. Tel: +39 06 494901 or 06 49490685. Opening hours: From 06.50 to 19.30. Entrance: Free of charge. (Note that opening hours may be subject to change.)
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