open: daily 9:30-12:30 &15:00-18:00
San Silvestro al Quirinale is a 16th century church dedicated to Saint Sylvester who was elected Pope in the 4th century.
As it was close-by to the Quirinale Palace it became a popular place of worship for the papacy during the times when the popes resided there.
As it was close-by to the Quirinale Palace it became a popular place of worship for the papacy during the times when the popes resided there.
The church is beautifully decorated inside with paintings, frescoes and marbles from the late Renaissance and Mannerist periods.
Entry to the church is via a door on the left as the facade which was built in 1879 after the street was changed and widened, which also saw the demolition of the first two chapels.
Entry to the church is via a door on the left as the facade which was built in 1879 after the street was changed and widened, which also saw the demolition of the first two chapels.
In the chapel of St Sylvester, which is the first chapel on the right, is an altarpiece by Avanzino Nucci from the 17th century of Pope Sylvester Baptizing the Emperor Constantine.
In the second chapel on the right is the icon of the Madonna della Catena from the 13th century. The icon is included into a painting by Giacinto Gimignani, the side walls paintings are by Cesare Nebbia.
In the chapel of the Holy Theatines there is an altarpiece of Saints Cajetan and Andrew Avellino by Antonio Alberti from 1630.
The Capella Bandini, left of the transept, is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady with stucco statues by Alessandro Algardi from 1628 and four tondi frescoes of biblical scenes by Domenichino dating from 1628, the altarpiece by Scipione Pulzone.
In the next chapel are the vault frescoes by Giuseppe Cesari depicting the Stories of Saint Stephen.
The sanctuary has paintings of angels and the coats of arms of popes Pius V and Clement VIII by brothers Giovanni and Cherubino Alberti from 1601.
The church doesn't seem to be open very often but if you happen to walk past and the side door is open it is well worth a visit.
Artists in San Silvestro al Quirinale
Jacopo Zucchi
Marcello Venusti
Polidoro da Caravaggio
Cherubino Alberti
Giovanni Alberti
Scipione Pulzone
Avanzino Nucci
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