The
Gesu was the first Jesuit church built in Rome. Construction went from 1568 to 1584 and reflects the
Baroque exuberance of the
Counter-Reformation period. The church is a little bit plain on the outside but astonishingly beautiful on the inside.
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| Exterior statue with the triumph of learning over ignorance |
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| A statue with the triumph of love over hate |
The nave is large and airy with a wonderful pulpit in the middle for preaching the Word to the gathered faithful.
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| Nave |
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| Pulpit |
The ceiling frescoes are wonderful, especially the
Triumph of the Name of Jesus by Il Baciccia. The picture spills over from the border and onto the rest of the roof.
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| Triumph of the Name of Jesus |
Several of the side altars are splendid, including the Chapel of Sant'Ignazio (
St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits, who is buried there).
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| Holy Cross chapel |
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| Altar of St. Francis Xavier with a relic |
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| Chapel of Sant'Ignazio |
The Sant'Ignazio is flanked by two wonderful statues depicting
Religion Defeats Heresy and Hatred and the
Triumph of Faith over Idolatry.
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| Religion Defeats Heresy and Hatred |
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| Triumph of Faith over Idolatry |
The main altar is also quite glorious in the back of the church with the
Glory of the Mystical Lamb fresco by Bacicci.
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| Main altar |
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| Fresco of the Glory of the Mystical Lamb |
The side altar to the right of the main altar has many relics of Jesuit saints and some fine statues too.
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| Some reliquaries and one statue |
The church is definitely worth visiting when in Rome!
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