Sant'Agnese in Agone

The Baroque church of Sant Agnese in Agone dominates Piazza Navona; and does so even more because the spectacular fountains of Navona are closed for cleaning and renovation for the massive Jubilee of 2025, a Catholic celebration expected to bring 35 million pilgrims to Rome for a year starting December 24, 2024.

How they project 35 million is beyond me, that's experts to sweat over.  But, I will say, if you are planning a trip to Rome, wait until 2026, just in case the 2025 projection is close to right.

(Blogger whine time: Most of the many spectacular fountains in Rome are closed for cleaning and renovation to be ready for the Jubilee.  As a huge fan of fountains, it is the one bummer about the trip -- many fewer fountains to glory in.) 

The church was built in the place where, according to legend, Saint Agnes was martyred.  Francesco Borromini was the primary architect of the church, working on it from 1653 to 1657.  Construction was finished by Carlo Rainaldi, the son of the architect who started building the church.

I will not get into the details of the layout of the church (or other subsequent ones), or these posts would drone on and on.  Just go see them for yourselves.

The view from Piazza Navona.  Picture

taken above the scaffolding around the

 stunning Four Rivers Fountains.

Eagle on the floor.

Absolutely perfect dome.

Part of the altar.

Bask in the richness of the sculptured

expression and details of the people.

Saint Sebastian taking

arrows for his God.

The baptismal font, along with a couple

of bambinos to help you through

the ceremony.

Watching the martyrdom of Saint Agnes.

Few things can match the exquisite beauty

of the ceilings of churches in Rome.