Raphael & Caravaggio inside the Roman Churches Private

5.0 (10 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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10 reviews

5.0

Raphael & Caravaggio inside the Roman Churches Private — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Raphael & Caravaggio inside the Roman Churches Private, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The masterful paintings of 16th-century artist Michelangelo Merisi (1571-1610), better known as Caravaggio, continue to fascinate more than 400 years after his death. The artist's paintings combine with gritty, realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, and make dramatic use of chiaroscuro. Today Rome hosts about 25 Caravaggio masterpieces that can be viewed by the public: several can be seen in the churches, others by some of the most important art collections in palaces and museums.

Raffaello Sanzio known as Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, which forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. Raphael was enormously productive, running an unusually large workshop and, despite his death at 37, leaving a large body of work. Many of his works are found in the Vatican but also in some churches.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English, Italian, Spanish
Operated by: Rome Italy Explora

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–10 years) · Youth (11–13 years) · Adults (14–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entrance in Church Santa Maria della Pace
Included: Private tour Leader at your disposal (choose the language on the checkout)
Included: Entrance in the Churche of Sant'Agostino and Santa Maria della Pace
Included: Pick-up and drop off with luxury transportation and private chauffeur
Included: Entrance in the Churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and San Luigi dei Francesi
Included: Private professional guide by your side

Not included

Not included: Food and Beverages
Not included: Gratuities. If you are satisfied with the service, a gratuity is customary.

Itinerary

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo

20 min Admission included

A legend had it that the site where the church was eventually erected was haunted by the ghost of Nero, the Roman Emperor. On his burial ground had grown a bewitched walnut tree full of crows. To put an end to this myth, Pope Paschal II in 1099 ordered the tree to be cut down and commissioned a Romanesque chapel to be built instead. In 1513, various of the most influential artists of the period, like Pinturicchio, Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini were requested to decorate the walls and ceilings of the temple. Santa Maria del Popolo's decoration is unlike any other church in Rome.

Among the beautiful art work found in the church, it is worth highlighting the Chapel Cerasi, which houses two canvases by Caravaggio from 1600, and the Chapel Chigi, built and decorated by Raphael.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is one of these that are definitely worth visiting, not because of its structure or its façade, but because of its impressively decorated chapels.
Basilica S. Agostino

20 min Admission included

Sant'Agostino in Campo Marzio is an important 15th century minor basilica and parish church in the rione Sant'Eustachio. The Madonna di Loreto (or Pilgrim’s Madonna) was commissioned from Caravaggio thanks to a legacy left by Ermete Cavalletti for the family chapel in Sant’Agostino. The subject had been specified by the contract of 1603 as the deceased Marquis was devoted to Our Lady of Loreto.

Whereas the Madonna of Loreto is generally depicted in her Holy House, the birthplace of Jesus, enthroned and transported on the wings of angels, here she is depicted as a simple commoner in front of a doorway and holding the well lit Infant Jesus, who blesses pilgrims, common people kneeling down, wearing worn clothes and with dirty, bare feet. The idea of putting Madonna in direct contact with poor pilgrims was absolutely revolutionary and was much criticized.
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pace

20 min Admission included

Santa Maria della Pace the church groundwork on the site of the medieval chapel of Sant'Andrea de Acquaricariis. In the end of the 15th century. Pope Sisto IV commissioned its fabrication to Baccio Pontelli. The building while we know today is rebuilt by Pietro da Cortona, whose facade with a semicircular pronaos his architectural masterpiece and one of the greatest achievements of Roman Baroque architecture. After the discovery, the entire square became like a baroque theater, of which the church is an ideal stage. Inside the masterpieces of Raphael, Maderno and the Cloister of Bramante stand out.
Church of St. Louis of the French

30 min Admission included

The famous Contarelli Chapel, where you'll find Caravaggio's triptych composed of The Martyrdom of St. Matthew, The Vocation of St. Matthew and St. Matthew and the Angel, deserves a separate chapter.

The chapel takes its name from Cardinal Mathieu Cointrel, later Italianized to Contarelli, who commissioned Michelangelo Merisi with the three altarpieces focused on the figure of San Matteo. The Martyrdom of San Matteo is the first canvas created by Caravaggio for the chapel. Compared to the others, the composition is overcrowded with a tangle of bodies that refers to Mannerism while the nudes are clear Michelangelesque elements.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Hotel La Place
Casa Santa Sofia
DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti
Massimi City Garden
Room Mate Filippo
Aberdeen Hotel
Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara
Dharma Luxury Hotel & Spa
Best Western Hotel Astrid
Hotel Duca D'Alba
Doria Palace Boutique Hotel
Residenza RomaCentro

and 942 more pickup points

Pick up at your accomodation (hotel, B&B, apartment). Please confirm us the pick up address.

N.B .: If your accomodation is not in the area indicated on the above map, send us a message to arrange your pick up.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair avaible on request. Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required. Additional price € 50,00.
Dress code required to enter in churches : knees and shoulders must be covered