The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone

The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone has already existed since the VII century a.C. on the west side of the famous Piazza Navona, where in ancient times, you could find the Stadio of Domiziano, in the place where, according to the legend, the young Agnese was exposed naked to the pillory because she was Christian but miraculously her hair covered her as if it was a dress. 

The present construction was started by Girolamo and Carlo Rainaldi in 1652, under the pontificate of Innocence X and completed by Francesco Borromini (1653-1657) who remarkably modified it determining the concave façade in a single order of pillars and columns, surmounted by the high dome. The twin bell-towers, designed by Borromini were carried out by Antonio del Grande and Giovanni Maria Baratta according to a plan of Borromini.

The church was commissioned by Innocence X Pamphilj, buried, together with other family members inside a crypt on the left of the main altar. The Interior, with the high altar designed by Carlo Rainaldi, preserves the Greek cross plan and stands out for the beauty of gold and marble.

The dome supported by eight columns was frescoed by Ciro Ferri while the pendentives are the work of Baciccia. The basement housed in an ancient medieval oratory, is characterized by the miracle of the hair of Sant'Agnese, placed on the altar, a marble relief by Alessandro Algardi.

Moving on piazza di Tor Sanguina you can take a look at part of the original structures of the Stadio di Domiziano.