Church of Sant'Ignazio

This lovely church is in the center of Rome, near Via del Corso, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. It's a must-see for its astounding, calculated interior decoration. The Baroque building was dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit movement, consecrated during the Jubilee of 1650. It contains colorful marbles, rich reliefs and is alive with sumptuous paintings done in tromp l'oeil to stage a greater effect of grandeur than actually exists. Look carefully at the "architectural" details of the columns, pilasters and window casings, all illusions amidst the floating and soaring frescoed figures that float up heavenward. In this church, even the dome is an optical illusion!

Even if you're not interested in art or churches, this one is of interest to almost everyone because of its creative decorative details.

Open daily from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM.