Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata a Via Ardeatina

The origins of the church are unknown, but it is not impossible that they are connected, at least indirectly, to the cemeteries of the area.The oldest memory, cited in a marble table of the time of Leo X (1518) affixed in it, dates back to 1220.The large map of Rome of the year 1676 by Giacomo de Rossi, has at the bottom a sign with the views of the nine churches to visit for the treasures, indulgences and relics of the Saints under the four major basilicas there are the three minor ones and then there are two more with which the number of nine was reached: and these were the sanctuary of the Tre Fontane and the Annunziatella.To go from S. Paolo to S. Sebastiano, pilgrims passed through the Via delle Sette Chiese: but those who wanted to visit all nine had to go from S. Paolo through the Laurentina alle Tre Fontane and from there through the street that in ancient times was called Oratoria all'Annunziatella, from where, continuing along the current alley of the Annunziatella, he reached the Ardeatina and from there, returning a little towards Rome, the crossroads of the still existing street that led him to S. Sebastiano.
1 - THE ANNUNZIATELLA - its history - From some ancient writings foundThe tuff wall structure is medieval; and the bell tower must also be of medieval structure. The apse, however, appears evidently rebuilt to enlarge it in the first half of the sixteenth century when the sanctuary was thoroughly restored or in 1640 when Cardinal Barberini, protector of the Arciconfraternita del Gonfalone, renovated the entire interior. The Renaissance fresco of the Annunciation was set into the new apse. The façade had been decorated since the time of Paul V.After 1640 the sanctuary fell into disrepair, so much so that in 1731 the high altar had to be reconsecrated.In the Deion of the four, seven, and nine Churches of Rome published in 1698 by Renato Bona we read (pages 50 and following): This Church appears to be built on a hill, which is surrounded by beautiful fields, the facade is recognizable as frescoed, in the middle of which we can see the emblem of the Gonfalone expressed in a Cartella supported by two Angels, and by Putti worked in fresco, under which remains the eye that gives light to the Church: in the middle of the frontispiece of the door, fake stone door, we can see the coat of arms of Paul V, of the Roman People and of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandino at the time Protector of this Archconfraternity: on the sides of the door are painted St. Peter, St. Paul.The Church had seats for the rest of the pilgrims and was divided in half by a wooden gate touched with gold.Here before was the Hospital for the poor Pilgrims, who came to visit this Holy place.On the days of the Santissima Annunziata, and the first Sunday of May there is the Stallone, and in this juncture the Compagnia del Gonfalone distributes blessed bread to the people who attend the celebration.
The floor of the Church is, towards the apse, ancient, in Cosmatesque style and in the rest modern, made with marble fragments; this probably replaced a brickwork; on the demarcation line there must have been the remembered gate.
The church, which in 1911 threatened ruin and even served as a dormitory for workers during the period of cultivation and harvests, began to rise again thanks to Ferretti, Carletti and the work for the Religious Assistance of the Agro Romano; since 1935 it has become a parish and has been decorously arranged: the facade has however lost its paintings and is very simply whitewashed.The nearby building is still the medieval one, except for the lost parts, the additions and the modernizations made to accommodate, on the west side, the Carlo Scotti Infant Asylum.
To the left of the altar is a small Cosmatesque-style holy oil container and a chain that is said to have been dedicated by a slave is hanging. The seats along the walls have disappeared. But the wayfarers and pilgrims who visited the Nine Churches have also disappeared.