Church of Holy Mary in Monserrato of the Spaniards Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli (Italian) Santa María de Montserrat de los Españoles (Spanish) Santa Maria de Montserrat d'os Espanyoles (Aragonese) Santa Maria de Montserrat dels Espanyols (Catalan) S. Mariae Hispanorum in Monte Serrato (Latin) |
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Façade of the church of Holy Mary in Monserrato of the Spaniards, National Church in Rome of Spain.
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Basic information | |
Location | Rome |
Geographic coordinates | 41°53′45.40″N 12°28′08.69″E / 41.8959444°N 12.4690806°ECoordinates: 41°53′45.40″N 12°28′08.69″E / 41.8959444°N 12.4690806°E |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Country | Italy |
Year consecrated | 1594 |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Rectory church, National Church in Rome of Spain |
Website | Official website |
Architectural description | |
Architect(s) | Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Bernardino Valperga, Francesco da Volterra |
Architectural type | Church |
Architectural style | Baroque |
Completed | 1598 |
Specifications | |
Direction of façade | NE |
Length | 40 metres (130 ft) |
Width | 14 metres (46 ft) |
The Spanish National Church of Santiago and Montserrat, known as Church of Holy Mary in Monserrat of the Spaniards (Italian: Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli, Spanish: Santa María de Montserrat de los Españoles, Aragonese: Santa Maria de Montserrat d'os Espanyoles, Catalan: Santa Maria de Montserrat dels Espanyols, Latin: S. Mariae Hispanorum in Monte Serrato) is a Roman Catholic titulus church and National Church in Rome of Spain, dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat. It is located in the Rione Regola, at the intersection of alleway of Via della Barchetta and the narrow Via di Monserrato, with the facade on the latter street, about three blocks northwest of the Palazzo Farnese.
The current Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Mariae Hispanorum in Monte Serrato is Carlos Amigo Vallejo.
The present church was founded in 1803-1807, by uniting the staff of two different churches, the 15th century church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli (now transformed into Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore) in Piazza Navona, which at the time was crumbling, and that of Santa Maria in Monserrato, which from medieval times had served and housed mainly indigent Spanish pilgrims to Rome. Many of the works from San Giacomo degli Spagnoli were also transferred to the latter.
The church was initially designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and work proceeded over centuries under the direction, among others, of Bernardino Valperga and Francesco da Volterra. The site was chosen in 1518, the façade by da Volterra being erected 1582-1593, the altar consecrated in 1594, and the roof finished in 1598. The apse was completed only in 1675, when a new main altar was consecrated. The external sculptural group (1673-1675) was executed by Giovanni Battista Contini. A complete renovation took place from 1818-1822.