Chiesa Nuova, officially Santa Maria in Vallicella, is a church on Via della Chiesa Nuova in central Rome and the spiritual home of the Oratorians, founded by Saint Philip Neri. Its ornate Baroque interior rewards a quiet look: find Pietro da Cortona’s ceiling frescoes, paintings by Peter Paul Rubens and the chapel holding Neri’s remains. The church was built over the site of an earlier medieval church. Next door, Borromini’s Oratory and the Vallicelliana Library add two more places to explore if they are accessible during your visit.
A church built for the Oratorians
Santa Maria in Vallicella is also known as Chiesa Nuova, or the New Church. The present building was constructed between 1575 and 1599 on the grounds of an earlier medieval church. It was made for the Oratorian Order, the community founded by Saint Philip Neri, and remains connected to the order.
Neri, who lived from 1515 to 1595, founded a community of secular priests devoted to preaching, charitable work and bringing people together through sacred music. His work in Rome earned him the name “Apostle of Rome.” The church is a place to encounter that history as well as its art.
Frescoes, paintings and the chapel of Saint Philip Neri
Inside, the decoration shifts from the church’s relatively restrained exterior to gilding, stucco and large-scale paintings. Look up to see frescoes by Pietro da Cortona. Works by Peter Paul Rubens and Guido Reni are also part of the church’s collection.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Philip Neri is to the left of the main altar. His remains are kept beneath its altar in a crystal casket; a silver mask covers his face. The chapel’s decoration includes mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli and gold.
The church also contains a copy of Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ, made by a Flemish artist. The original is now in the Vatican Museums.
The Oratory and library next door
The adjoining Palazzo dei Filippini houses the Oratory of the Philippians, the Oratorian convent and the Vallicelliana Library. Francesco Borromini designed the complex. The Oratory is known for its curved façade and acoustics, and it is sometimes used for sacred music concerts.
The library is a point of interest for visitors drawn to books and history. Access to the rooms and adjoining buildings can depend on arrangements, so ask ahead if either is a priority for your visit. Saint Philip Neri’s room can also be visited by appointment.
FAQ
Where is Chiesa Nuova in Rome?
It is on Via della Chiesa Nuova, near Piazza della Chiesa Nuova and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
What can you see inside Chiesa Nuova?
The church has ceiling frescoes by Pietro da Cortona, paintings including works by Rubens, and the chapel where Saint Philip Neri’s remains are kept.
Can you visit Saint Philip Neri’s room?
A visit can be arranged by appointment.
What is next to Chiesa Nuova?
The Palazzo dei Filippini, designed by Francesco Borromini, contains the Oratory of the Philippians, the Oratorian convent and the Vallicelliana Library.
