Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Santa Maria del Pianto


where: Via Santa Maria del Pianto and Piazza della Cinque Scole
getting there: 5 minute walk from Largo di Torre Argentina
open: possibly weekdays from 12:00-13:00
information: entry to the church is via a door in the Piazza della Cinque Scole or around the corner in Via Santa Maria del Pianto 

Santa Maria del Pianto is a Baroque church that was commissioned in 1608 in the Regola area.
When the church build ran into financial difficulties the facade of the church was left unfinished and the decorations planned for the interior unrealised.
The entry to the church is via an ordinary green painted door with the name of the church lettered in white and these days the building is surrounded by shops and restaurants. 

The church was built to hold a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary which had shed tears (pianto) as a young man was being assassinated nearby.
The 15th century icon of the Virgin was taken from above a nearby doorway in the street and placed at the main altar in an alabaster altarpiece with two stucco putto above.
Inside the entrance is a processional banner painted by Lazzaro Baldi depicting the Madonna and Child.
Two frescoes by Agostino Ciampelli are either side of the main altar underneath the choir balcony.

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Helpful Hints

Getting Around

I found walking Rome was the best way to see everything.

The metro, trams and buses are also an easy and cheap option.

Buses and the metro can get crowded. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated.

Beware of pickpockets.

Buses 40 (express) and 64 start at Termini and end near Saint Peter's, traveling past places of interest, returning the same way.


Some stops along the 64 route are:

Repubblica

Piazza Venezia

Via Nazionale

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II


Bus 75 takes you past the Colosseum to Trastevere

Bus 910 takes you to Villa Borghese


Ticket Options

€1.50 B.I.T (Biglietto Integrato a Tempo) is the standard ticket valid for one metro, unlimited tram or bus rides within 100 minutes.


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Purchasing Bus and Metro tickets.

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These are a few of my favourite books about Rome

The Cardinal's Hat by Mary Hollingsworth
This book tells the story of one of the sons of Lucrezia Borgia who became a cardinal during the 16th century.

The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev
I love this book telling the story of Caterina Sforza who was fighting against the Borgia pope to retain the rights of her land and her freedom.

The Popes by John Julius Norwich
A detailed but easy and enjoyable book to read about the history of the papacy and the popes.

The Pope's Daughter by Caroline P Murphy
This book describes in beautiful detail, the life and times of Pope Julius II daughter, Felice della Rovere.

The Families Who Made Rome by Anthony Majanlahti
I love this Book! It explains the families who made Rome what it is as we see it today and also looks at their triumphs, scandals and failures.

Rome by Robert Hughes
This book explains Rome from its beginning and expands on the Renaissance and Baroque until present times.

The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr
Another of my favourite reads about a lost Caravaggio painting and the search for its provenance.





other sites I trust for information on Rome are:
Rome Art Lover
Churches of Rome wiki