Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria

Catholic church · Sallustiano

Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria

Catholic church · Sallustiano

1

Via Venti Settembre, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

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Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria by null

Highlights

Santa Maria della Vittoria is a small, stunning 17th-century Baroque church home to Bernini’s breathtaking Ecstasy of St. Teresa, dripping in golden detail.  

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Via Venti Settembre, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy Get directions

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Information

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Via Venti Settembre, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy Get directions

+39 06 4274 0571
turismoroma.it
@turismoromaweb
𝕏
@turismoromaweb

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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go in the afternoon so the lighting is best

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Boryana Milenova

Google
A must-visit for all art lovers, Santa Maria della Vittoria is one of few churches in Rome where people can see works of Bernini for free. The church is lavishly adorned with gilded elements, statues and paintings. Unfortunately, during my visit, I couldn’t admire it in its full glory as there was ongoing restoration work of the ceiling. Hopefully, I would see it again someday.

Nia Othitis

Google
Small but beautiful church near Termini train station that is an oasis of calm in this bustling city. Bernini’s “The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa” is beautiful and moving sculpture but the rest of the church is so lovely as well. There is no entrance fee, but if there is a mass, the visitation is restricted.

Angie O

Google
The 17th century church is in baroque style with a single nave. What I liked about this church was that it was the vault ceiling with amazing frescoes and an icon of Madonna in Bohemia, which is on the top altar. It has three beautiful chapels on each side.

Mia Vera

Google
Santa Maria della Vittoria is a small church with overwhelming beauty a place that surprises you with its richness the moment you step inside. The air feels heavy with incense gold and silence. The main draw is Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa a sculpture so full of movement and emotion it feels alive. Light falls perfectly onto her face like the divine is still watching. Though the space is compact every detail glows with care and devotion. It is quiet dramatic and deeply intimate like stepping into a private moment of heaven. A hidden gem that lingers in your mind long after you leave.

Meow C.

Google
A small yet the most beautiful church. Not far from termini. You can escape the busy streets of Rome and be peaceful here. Not only the masterpiece of Bernini but also some great works and even the ceiling looked amazing under construction. Definitely worth a visit!

Nikki Rohde (OutThisDoor)

Google
Jaw droppingly beautiful! This is basilica houses Bernini's The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa which is so beautiful both the sculpture and its chapel. But that's not all! There are many other amazing sculptures and tombs including the tomb and remains of Saint Victoria--a little macabre but beautifully done. Feature #2 worth checking out is the gift shop. It is on the far right hand corner. You might see a tiny plaque which reads "postcards." For sale are many items: a guidebook, cards and postcards, religious items and handmade items from the nuns. I got my mother who is Catholic a jar of the night cream as a souvenir--she loves it! It is free to enter. We went in November and there was only a few other people inside so it was very quiet and solemn. A great alternative to the busy sites. When in Rome, we decided to avoid the crowds and visit the wealth of basilicas in the historic city center. This one is worth the visit!

Camilo A. Posada

Google
Santa Maria della Vittoria is a Baroque jewel tucked away in the heart of Rome, a place where history, faith, and artistic genius converge. From the moment you stand before its stately facade, designed in the early 17th century by Carlo Maderno and completed under Giovanni Battista Soria, you’re struck by the grandeur of the Roman Catholic tradition at its peak. The facade, adorned with intricate carvings and papal crests, invites you to climb its steps and enter a sanctuary that feels both intimate and monumental. Inside, the church is nothing short of breathtaking. It is most famous for housing Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, a masterpiece that brings marble to life with such sensuality and spiritual intensity that it has inspired awe and debate for centuries. Bernini captures a moment of divine rapture with such dramatic flair that even art critics like Irving Lavin and Simon Schama have written extensively on its blend of theatricality and devotion. Beyond Bernini’s work, the church is filled with treasures: vivid frescoes by Giovanni Domenico Cerrini and gilded stucco decorations that immerse visitors in the heavenly opulence of the Baroque era. Each corner seems to tell a story—of devotion, artistic rivalry, and the Catholic Church’s powerful role in shaping the cultural identity of Rome. What makes this church particularly moving is its size. Unlike the grand basilicas of Rome, Santa Maria della Vittoria feels accessible, almost like stepping into a perfectly curated art gallery of the 1600s. Yet, the energy here is undeniably spiritual—one can sit quietly and lose themselves in the interplay of light, color, and stone. Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, encapsulates the Baroque era’s grandeur and emotional intensity, showcased in its home within the Cornaro Chapel of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. This sculptural ensemble not only serves as a pinnacle of Bernini’s technical mastery but also as a profound spiritual meditation. The central composition features Saint Teresa of Avila in a moment of divine rapture, as described in her own writings. Bernini’s ability to translate her mystical experience into marble is awe-inspiring. The saint’s languid, almost ethereal posture contrasts with the dynamic folds of her habit, which ripple like waves of spiritual ecstasy. The angel, poised delicately above her, holds an arrow with an expression that seamlessly combines tenderness and divine authority. The golden rays cascading from the concealed window above simulate a divine light, creating an interplay of the material and the immaterial. This architectural framing magnifies the transcendent nature of the experience, as if heaven itself breaks into the space of the chapel. The surrounding marble, with its rich tones and textures, further elevates the sense of opulence and devotion. Below, the Cornaro family is depicted in relief, observing the celestial scene from balconies, drawing the viewer into the narrative as witnesses to this mystical event. This ingenious integration of sculpture, architecture, and light exemplifies Bernini’s genius, offering not just an artwork but a theatrical and spiritual experience. The nearby depiction of the Last Supper in gilded relief complements this theme of divine mystery, reinforcing the profound connection between human experience and the sacred. Bernini’s work invites reflection on the nature of divine love and the human capacity for transcendence, making it a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire awe and devotion.

Peter Hill

Google
Wonderful small church. Though busy outside, inside the church is serene and quiet and a good place to pray. Of course seeing St. Taresa is the icing on the cake.
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Sanjay G.

Yelp
So how we reached here, that's an interesting story. Our flight got canceled and we reached the next day in Rome at 430 PM at ROMA Termini. We just thrown our luggage at the Airbnb and literally ran for this church cause closing time was 5 PM. we reached at 4:55 PM and managed to get inside and why I did this? My wife made me do this, she is so fond of history and so wanted to see Ecstasy of St. Teresa statue (apart from Pieta in the Vatican) Well, it's very famous now thanks to Robert Langdon aka Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons". But this is most famous for Ecstasy of St. Teresa statue by Lorenzo Bernini Outside, it won't look very impressive, but its interior is extravagantly decorated. Since there is very little natural light inside the church, it is filled with candles, which create a very special atmosphere. One of the most notable parts of the church is the Cornaro Chapel that houses the "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa", a sculpture by Bernini. It is nothing short of stunning, and the detail of Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is truly incredible. see, it won't take more than 30 minutes so I would definitely recommend this to include in your itinerary. it's free. You can donate at the gate though.
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Constance P.

Yelp
I wish it hadn't been under construction when I visited because that made me a major sadface! I really wanted to see what the outer facade looked like. I probably would have liked it more had it not been in renovations. There's actually a pretty large number of tourists who come here, most likely due to the church's "appearance" in The Da Vinci Code (technically it didn't really appear in the movie because they created a set for it, but I digress). Though I had seen the movie, I came here not because of the movie but because I'm a major art nerd and this church has one of the most famous statues by Giovanni Bernini, "The Ecstasy of St. Teresa." This church is pretty amazing though, a lot of detail and thought went into the building and it's definitely one of the better kept churches in Rome. Maybe due to its recent popularity, there's more donations perhaps? Definitely will be back to see it when it's out of renovations!
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Chris F.

Yelp
We visited Santa Maria Della Vitorria on our last full day in Rome. I'm glad we went and didn't miss it as this cathedral is another beauty. As with quite a few of the other cathedrals / basilicas it doesn't look that impressive from the exterior. Once inside however, it is very impressive for sure. Santa Maria Della Vitorria is located close to Piazza di San Bernardo and Piazza della Repubblica is very walk able from either place. This is another great cathedral to see in Rome.
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Jessica A.

Yelp
Love this church -- absolutely GORGEOUS on the interior!! Especially Bernini's "St Theresa in Ecstasy" sculpture. You can pay .50 to basically turn on a little sky light that shines sun beams on the sculpture. So cool... The whole church is so gorgeous inside.... it's somewhat overwhelming how beautiful it is on the inside. You wouldn't have guessed from the outside. But there are plenty of little candle offering areas you can contribute. When you go, be sure to bring your camera... and look up! The ceiling paintings are gorgeous too.
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Mike P.

Yelp
A wonderful small church. The Bernini is of course fantastic. Attended Mass, in Italian! and was able to meet with the priest after the service
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Rahul I.

Yelp
The Ecstasy of Teresa is a very unique carving by Bernini. We happened to visit when a local scholar was giving an explanation on it to a Canadian group. It was worth the explanation. Definitely worth seeing.