Sant'Agata dei Goti

where: Via Mazzarino, 16/Via Panisperna, 29

getting there: number 64 bus to Via Nazionale
open: 7:00–19:00
information: a sign on the building advises that there is also a side entry at Via Panisperna if the main entrance of the church is closed.

Tucked in-between buildings on Via Mazzarino is the Baroque church of Sant'Agata dei Goti. 

The church was named for Saint Agatha, a third century virgin martyr who was tortured and killed for refusing to recant her faith. 

The facade of the church was built in 1729 and above the doorway is a gruesome relief of Saint Agatha, sided with two cherubs, displaying her severed breast on a plate.

The original 5th century interior of the church was redecorated in the Baroque style in the 17th century. (Some of the decorations were commissioned by two Barberini cardinals and a marble frieze in the courtyard shows the bees on a crest of the Barbarini family.)

Above the arches in the central nave walls are a cycle of frescoes depicting the martyrdom of Saint Agatha. These have been recently restored and are attributed to Paolo Perugino. 

The large apse fresco in the main altar depicts the Glory of Saint Agatha and is again is attributed to Paolo Perugino (or Gian Domenico Cerrini).

The main entrance of the church is on Via Mazzarino through a courtyard and if this entrance is closed there is also an entrance around the corner on Via Panisperna.

Barberini Bees

courtyard

apse fresco attributed to Perugino

Paolo Perugino