CHIESA DI SAN CARLO ALLE QUATTRO FONTANE
Church at the intersection of Via del Quirinale and Via delle Quattro Fontane in Rome, one of the great masterpieces of the Baroque.
Considered one of the great Baroque masterpieces, this church is located at the intersection of via del Quirinale and via delle Quattro Fontane, near a small square with four sides. It was Sixtus V, the great pope and town planner of the late 16th century (1585-1590), who had these two straight axes built, from which you can see the Trinità dei Monti and Santa Maria Maggiore in one direction, and the Porta Pia and the Quirinale in the other: what a setting! You will see that on each side a fountain has been placed. But the major monument remains the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Borromini's first personal commission. It was made for the Spanish friars of the Trinity in 1638. However, when he committed suicide in 1667, the facade was not completed; it was therefore his nephew Bernardo Borromini who finished the work. The elaborate facade is cut into the space with a skilful play of concave and convex lines that give the impression of permanent movement; a very elaborate design by Borromini, which also reveals the tormented state of the great architect. The church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane goes against the grain of the monumental buildings of the time: it is a little gem of Baroque art. Take a look at its luminous dome decorated with geometric shapes. Inside the church, you can contemplate, above the main altar, The Adored Trinity of Saint Charles Borromeo.
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