The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, stands on the remains of the monumental Baths of Diocletian.

The project to transform the complex into a church is due to Michelangelo, who limited himself to a conservative restoration.

Subsequent interventions, up to the decorative rearrangement by Luigi Vanvitelli in 1750 which gave the interior its current appearance, have then modified the complex over time.

The latter, also the designer of the Royal Palace of Caserta.

He tried to create a new architectural uniformity and decorated the interior with some altarpieces from St Peter's Basilica, from where they were removed for conservation reasons and replaced with mosaics.

Touring St Maria Of The Angels

Michelangelo modified the ancient Baths of Diocletian, restoring the frigidarium, trying to save as much of the ancient remains as possible.

He did nothing more than delimit, with some additional wall partitions, the three surviving cross vaults of the frigidarium.

To which were added 2 square side chapels, giving life to a sacred building certainly very original for that time, completely transversal, despite the Pope's contrary opinion.

The entrance was placed in what was an ancient vestibule, used as a nymphaeum, a passage between the calidarium and the frigidarium.

Basilica ended in the choir created in the area of ​​the natatio, the 54-meter long pool intended for swimming in Roman times.

The guided tour of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica, is a unique opportunity to admire what is now the State Church intended for the official celebrations of the Italian Republic.

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St Maria Of The Angels Basilica wheelchair accessible tours.

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