Church of the Gesù in Rome

Church of the Gesù in Rome

The Church of the Gesù is located in the Piazza del Gesù in Rome. It is the mother church of the Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and served as the residence of the Jesuit leaders until the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773. The façade of the church is considered “the first truly Baroque façade” and has served as a model for countless Jesuit churches around the world, especially those in the Americas.

The Church of the Gesù was designed by Michelangelo and construction began in 1568. It is regarded as the first Baroque building. The church has a rectangular floor plan, with a prominent niche at one end, evolving from the traditional Latin cross layout of Gothic churches. The nave is wide, with a vaulted ceiling adorned with statues and decorations. The original side aisles are replaced by two rows of small chapels on either side, and a dome rises above the crossing. The church’s altar decoration is rich and free-form, with its pediment breaking away from classical conventions to feature icons and decorative rays. The façade draws inspiration from the treatment used by early Renaissance master architect Alberti in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence — the portal is topped with overlapping layers of cornices and pediments forming arcades and triangles, and the sides of the portal use pilasters and flat engaged columns. These innovative design elements were widely imitated later.

Church of the Gesù

Must-visit reason: One of the earliest Baroque buildings in the world

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Province of Rome [Province of Rome]

City where the attraction is located: Rome [Rome]