Built in
the eighth century over a previous building of the fourth century dedicated to St.
Boniface
The name of
Alexius, Roman saint of the fifth century, was added in the year 977 when some
monks arrived from Damascus in the monastery attached to the church
The real
name of the church is Ss. BONIFACIO E ALESSIO (Sts. Boniface
and Alexius)
Rebuilt in
1217 (also the belfry) by Honorius III Savelli (1216/27)
Restored in
1582
Renovated
in 1750 (also the façade) by Tommaso De Marchis
(1693/1759) who was also the architect of Palazzo
Mellini on Via del Corso
Restored
1852/60 for the Somaschi Fathers
Under the
church there is archaeological evidence including an ancient well, perhaps
belonging to the house of Senator Eufimiano father of St. Alexius
RIGHT NAVE
“Tomb of
Eleonora Boncompagni Borghese” 1693 by G.B. Contini
(1641/1723) with sculptures by Andrea Fucigna (about 1660/1711)
RIGHT
TRANSEPT
“Icon of the Virgin
Mary”
thirteenth century, believed to have been brought here by St. Alexius himself
APSE
“Evangelists,
Redeemer, and two angels” 1860 by Carlo Gavardini (1811/69)
These
paintings were not very successful at the time, for their character “too gay”,
not suitable for the church
Two little
columns dating back to 1217. The one on the right is by Jacopo di Lorenzo di Cosma (first half of XIII century)
CRYPT
It is the
only Romanesque crypt in Rome with canopy underneath which the relics of
Thomas of Canterbury are kept
Frescoes
XII/XIII century
“Column”
believed the one of the martyrdom of St. Sebastian
2nd
ALTAR ON THE LEFT
“S. Girolamo Emiliani
introducing orphans to the Virgin Mary” end of 1600s/beginning of 1700s by Jean François de Troy (1679/1752)
De Troy was
one of many French artists who worked in Rome in the first half of the
eighteenth century and became part of the Roman art scene to such an extent as
to become the prince of the Roman Academy of St. Luke in 1744
“By
accepting a wide variety of jobs, not only for portraits, but also for
religious and mythological compositions, De Troy became famous for his
'tableaux de mode', genre scenes inspired by the worldly and elegant salons he
used to attend. (...) While conducting a brilliant social life, he continued
his work as a painter creating such cards upholstery for the King of France,
the altarpieces for the churches of Rome or smaller works for collectors”
(Stéphane Loire)
“S.
Girolamo Emiliani praying the Virgin Mary” 1860 by Carlo
Gavardini (1811/69)
TO THE
RIGHT OF THE ENTRANCE
Scenic
baroque machinery in stucco and wood “Holy Stairs and St. Alexius” by Andrea
Bergondi (active in Rome XVIII century) which houses the wooden
staircase believed to be the one under which St. Alexius lived for seventeen
years of his father's charity without ever being recognized
In the
convent since 1941 there is the NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ROMAN STUDIES library
with about 25,000 books about history, literature, archeology and urban
planning in Rome
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