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Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs
P.za della Repubblica Roma Roma
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From Roman Baths to Basilica Honoring Christian Martyrs
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs in Rome is a unique church built inside the frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian. Commissioned by Pope Pius IV in 1561, it was designed by Michelangelo, who adapted the ancient bath structure into a church dedicated to Christian martyrs. The basilica features a Greek cross plan with a dominant transept and cubical chapels.
Michelangelo's design, characterized by its grand, harmonious spaces, includes a simple entrance and notable features such as the tombs of Salvator Rosa and Carlo Maratta. Later modifications by Luigi Vanvitelli in 1749 added to its complexity, but the church retains its Michelangelesque grandeur.
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