How to visit and what to see in Church of the Gesu, the Jesuits in Rome

Maybe you don't know that in your tourist trip to Rome you can see the church that is main headquarters of the Jesus company.

La church of the Gesu, which is how it is known, you find it in one of the most central areas of the city, very close to the Venice square.

There is no loss, since in said square is the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II, from whose Terrace of the Quadriges you have the best panoramic views of Rome.

This church was commissioned by his own St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesus company, made in 1551 by a Florentine architect, which was supervised by himself. Miguel Angel, but that ultimately was not carried out.

Curiosities history church of Gesú

Finally, construction began in 1568, and when it was finished, it was the largest church in Rome.

Its characteristic configuration, which includes a unique ship, has been the basis that has served in subsequent centuries to build new jesuit churches, not only in Europe, but also in America.

You can already appreciate this when you look at its majestic façade with a very characteristic style that has been replicated on the facades of many other churches in the area. Jesuit Order.

With a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles, church of the Gesu It was completed in 1584 and shows the aforementioned façade, which is considered the first really of this kind. Baroque, with a combination of marbles in warm tones and sculptures that seem to come to life.

What to see when visiting the Gesu church in Rome

But more than the façade, whose austerity will draw your attention, will be the sumptuousness of its interior decoration what will surprise you the most during your visit, that is, without reaching that of the splendor Church of the Company in Quito.

La Church of the Gesu in Rome, like the later jesuit churches, is structured from a single nave on whose sides there are various interconnected chapels.

In this way the High altar take all the protagonist.

As for the interior decoration, the splendid fresco stands out “Triumph of the Name of Jesus” on the ceiling, as well as the numerous sculptures which are arranged in the side chapels.

Of all of them, the most prominent and venerated chapel by visitors is the one dedicated to himself. St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Gesu Church Museum in Rome

If you want to deepen your knowledge of the foundation of the Jesus company, you can too visit the museum of the Gesu church.

Located in the old and new sacristy, numerous religious objects and artistic works.

Finally, here you have access to a virtual tour of the Gesú church, with detailed information about all its corners and artistic riches.

Gesu church schedules in Rome

The Visiting hours of the Church of the Gesu in Rome They are from Monday to Saturday, from 7,30:12,30 a.m. to 16:19,30 p.m. in the morning, and from 7,45 to 13,00:16 p.m. in the afternoon, and on Sundays and holidays, from 20:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. and from XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. hours.

The Visiting hours of the Gesu church museum They are, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 16 to 18 p.m.