The Church of Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi in Rome is also called Sant’Antonio in Campo Marzio. It is the national church of the Portuguese community in Rome.
A brief history of the church of Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi in Rome
Before the church existed, there was a kind of inn for Portuguese travelers in the same location. The church itself was founded in 1445, by Cardinal Antonio Martanez de Chaves.
The baroque façade was designed in the 17th century, by Martino Longhi il Giovane. The dome was designed by Carlo Rainaldi and the apse was done by the German architect Cristoforo Schor.
In 1742, Nicola Salvi, together with his friend Vanvitelli, designed a number of gold and marble pieces for the chapel of San Giovanni Battista and had them placed in the church. After Pope Benedict XIV had blessed the chapel, these were shipped to Lisbon.
What to see
Exterior
The street the church is on is not very wide, so it is difficult to get a good view of the facade. The best view, though still only partial, is from the Via dei Pianellari diagonally across from the facade.
The coat of arms on the facade belongs to the Casa di Braganza, a dynasty that ruled Portugal between 1640 and 1833 and Brasil between 1822 and 1889.
Interior
The interior is characterized by elaborate decorations and the use of various kinds and colors of marble. The overall impression, enhanced by the relatively small size of the church, is almost one of chaos. The vivacious use of ornaments is thought to have been required by the Portuguese who financed its construction.
Salvatore Nobili painted the ceiling. It depicts count Alfonso Henriques, having a vision of Christ on the cross and an angel pointing to the words IN HOC SIGNO, or “in this sign thou shalt conquer”. This happened before the battle of Ourique in 1139, which Alfonso of course went on to win. As a result, Portugal became a country, and Alfonso its first king.
The pendentives of the cupola were painted in the 19th century, by Francesco Grandi. The people depicted are all Portugues, and include Pope Damasus I (305-384), whose parents were born in what is now Portugal. His father was a priest in what is now the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls. Damasus was an important pope, since it was during his papacy that Christianity became dominant throughout the empire.
The main altar is the work of Cristoforo Schor, but the altar piece was painted by Giacinto Calandrucci. It depicts the “Madonna and child, with Sant’Antonio da Padova”.
The Alessandro De Souza Monument, in the 1st chapel on the right, is by Antonio Canova and was made in 1808. De Souza was the Danish ambassador to Rome.
The panel in the 1st chapel on the left was painted by Antoniazzo Romano. It has a golden background and is titled “Madonna and Child between Sant’Antonio da Padova and San Francesco”.
Antonio Concioli painted Adoration of the Magi and Birth and Rest during the Flight to Egypt (both 1782).
The transept was decorated by Luigi Vanvitelli and, after Vanvitelli was taken up with the construction of the Reggio di Caserta, finished by Carlo Murena.
Organ
In 2008, the enormous Mascioni organ, with its 4 keyboards and 47 registers was placed inside the church. Especially on Saturdays and Sundays this organ is used for classical concerts.
Attractions near Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi
The facade of the building across the road from the church of Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi (the present seat of the Avvocatura Generale dello Stato, formerly a convent of the Agostinian Order) was also designed by Vanvitelli.
To the right of the church stands the Palazzo Scapucci with the 15th century Torre dei Frangipane, aka the Torre della Scimmia (“Tower of the Monkey”).
Special events
Every Sunday at 5 PM mass is celebrated in Portuguese.
Address, opening hours and admission
The address of the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi is Via dei Portoghesi, 2 (district: Campo Marzio). Tel.: 39 06 68802496. Admission is free. Opening hours: Monday till friday from 08.30 AM till 01.00 PM and from 03.00 until 06.00 PM; Saturdays from 08.30 AM till noon and from ;03.00 till 06.00 PM and Sundays from 09.00 AM till noon.
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