Gesu, Rome

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.

Gesu, Rome

Exterior statue with the triumph of learning over ignorance

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.

Nave

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.

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).

Holy Cross chapel

Altar of St. Francis Xavier with a relic

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.

Religion Defeats Heresy and Hatred

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.

Main altar

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.

Some reliquaries and one statue

The church is definitely worth visiting when in Rome!