Sant'Ignazio

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Image:Ignazio.jpg The church of Sant' Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio (Latin S. Ignatii de Loyola in Campo Martio) was built in 1626 and dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, who had just been canonized. It is the church of the adjacent Collegio Romano.

Responsible for the undertaking was Ludovico Cardinal Ludovisi. The design is by Carlo Maderno and other artists, and was carried out by Orazio Grassi.

Image:Sant'Ignazio - affresco soffitto -antmoose.jpg

The church is best known for its trompe l'œil frescoes spanning the ceiling (1685) by Andrea Pozzo. When looking, up, standing at the spot market by a golden disc set into the floor of the nave, one obtains the effect of a lofty vaulted roof decorated by statues. In fact the ceiling is flat, and from anywhere else in the church it looks quite distorted. From the altar it looks so out of proportion that one might wonder that it seemed real from the entrance. Another spot a little distance towards the altar marks a spot for ideal viewing of a second painting above the crossing, which gives a fine effect of a dome. It is said that the residents of the neighbourhood where Sant' Ignazio was built didn't want a rather large dome blocking their sun.

The paintings represent the admission of Ignatius into paradise. He is welcomed by Christ and the Blessed Virgina. The figures around him represent the four continents.

Scenes from the life of St Ignatius in the apse are also by Pozzo. They depict for instance the defence of Pamplona, where St Ignatius was wounded.

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Sculpture in the Church

Additional masterpieces in the church are the marble relief depicting a three dimensional Saint Aloyzius Gonzaga in Glory 1698-99 Coloured marble relief with bronze, marble and silver setting, height c. 900 cm Sant'Ignazio, Rome

The Cardinal Deacon of the Titulus S. Ignatii de Loyola in Campo Martio is Roberto Cardinal Tucci.

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