Friday, October 5, 2018

San Lorenzo in Damaso


where: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II/Piazza della Cancelleria, 1
open: daily 7:30-12 & 16:30-19:30
getting there: bus 64 from Termini

Not far from Piazza Navona is the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso. It was built into the chancellery building of the Palazzo della Cancelleria.
The entire building is under restoration but it is still possible to visit the church through the main entry in the Piazza della Cancelleria or from a side entrance from the Via Vittorio Emanuele.


This church along with San Lorenzo in Lucina, was dedicated to the martyr Saint Lawrence, patron saint of chefs and firefighters whose legendary last words supposedly were "I'm done...turn me over!"
The church was built by Cardinal Riario, he also paid for the building of the palazzo thought to be on the site of the house of 4th century Pope Saint Damasus. 
The interior was commissioned in the 16th century by the grandson of Pope Paul III, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, cardinal of the church and palace resident.
Inside near the entrance is a sculpture of a winged skeleton designed by Bernini in 1639 as a memorial for a minister of Pope Urban VIII.
At the main altar is the canvas Saints and Coronation of Mary by Federico Zuccari.
In a chapel on the right is the ceiling fresco by Corrado Giaquinto of the Glory of San Nicola and the Virgin with saints Filippo, Neri and Nicolò by Sebastiano Conca.
In the chapel near the sacristy is the altarpiece by il Pomerancio (Nicolò Circignani) and two silver statues by Ciro Ferri of saints Lorenzo and Damaso.
The chapel of Santissima Concezione was frescoed by Pietro da Cortona between 1635 and 1638.
During the occupation of Rome by the French in 1799 the church was used as a stable by French troops and the church has also been restored after fire in 1944.
Bernini








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Getting Around

I found walking Rome was the best way to see everything.

The metro, trams and buses are also an easy and cheap option.

Buses and the metro can get crowded. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated.

Beware of pickpockets.

Buses 40 (express) and 64 start at Termini and end near Saint Peter's, traveling past places of interest, returning the same way.


Some stops along the 64 route are:

Repubblica

Piazza Venezia

Via Nazionale

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II


Bus 75 takes you past the Colosseum to Trastevere

Bus 910 takes you to Villa Borghese


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These are a few of my favourite books about Rome

The Cardinal's Hat by Mary Hollingsworth
This book tells the story of one of the sons of Lucrezia Borgia who became a cardinal during the 16th century.

The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev
I love this book telling the story of Caterina Sforza who was fighting against the Borgia pope to retain the rights of her land and her freedom.

The Popes by John Julius Norwich
A detailed but easy and enjoyable book to read about the history of the papacy and the popes.

The Pope's Daughter by Caroline P Murphy
This book describes in beautiful detail, the life and times of Pope Julius II daughter, Felice della Rovere.

The Families Who Made Rome by Anthony Majanlahti
I love this Book! It explains the families who made Rome what it is as we see it today and also looks at their triumphs, scandals and failures.

Rome by Robert Hughes
This book explains Rome from its beginning and expands on the Renaissance and Baroque until present times.

The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr
Another of my favourite reads about a lost Caravaggio painting and the search for its provenance.





other sites I trust for information on Rome are:
Rome Art Lover
Churches of Rome wiki