The Church of Sant’Eustachio is located in the historical center of Rome, in the district of Sant’Eustachio, which was named for this church, at a short walking distance from the Pantheon.
Sant’Eustachio Church Rome
Address, opening hours and admission
Adress: Via di Sant’Eustachio, 19 – Rome (tel. +39 06 6865334). Opening hours: From 09.00 till 12.00 and from 16.00 till 19.30h. Admission: Free.
History and description
This early Christian church was, according to legend, founded by the Emperor Constantine, on top of the house of the martyr Saint Eustachio, who was buried there in the year 120.
The Church of Saint Eustace used to be a refuge for poor people.
In the 12th century the structure of the church was changed and in 1724 Antonio Canevari made further modifications.
What to see in the Sant’Eustachio Church in Rome
- The Roman bell-tower is one of the few aspects that survived of the original medieval construction.
- The baroque facade is preceded by a portico and is crowned by the head of a deer with a cross between its horns. (Saint Eustachio used to be a soldier. He was once about to shoot a stag, when a cross appeared between the animal’s horns. He converted to Christianity and ended up being martyred.)
- The two columns on the side of the church are all that is left of the Baths of Emperor Nero, which used to take up a big part of the area.
- The paintings in the transept are by Giacomo Zoboli.
- The main altar was created in 1739 by Nicola Salvi.
- The baldachin above the main altar is the work of Ferdinando Fuga.
What to see near the Sant’Eustachio Church in Rome
- Across the square (Piazza Sant’Eustachio) from the church is a fresco-covered building. Amongst the frescoes is the coat-of-arms of the famous Medici family.
- Turn right when you exit the church and then right again and you will have the Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon right in front of you.