Chiesa della Santissima Trinita dei Monti (Church of the Most Holy Trinity on the Mounts), Rome

Perched above the Spanish Steps, this 16th-century church boasts a unique facade with double towers that exude hints of late-French Gothic style. Interestingly, construction was financially supported by the French monarchy. Today, its beauty primarily stems from its commanding position and breathtaking vistas. The obelisk situated in front of the church was relocated here in 1789 but traces its origins back to the early years of the Roman Empire.

Upon stepping inside, the first chapel to the right catches the eye with its embellishments, featuring a "Baptism of Christ" and other paintings portraying the life of John the Baptist, created by Giambattista Naldini, a Florentine Mannerist painter. Moving to the third chapel on the right, one can admire an "Assumption of the Virgin" painted by Daniele da Volterra, another accomplished Mannerist painter and sculptor. Interestingly, da Volterra, who was a student of Michelangelo, is most famously remembered for his involvement in covering the genitals of figures in Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" with garments and loincloths after the master's passing. This earned him the nickname "Il Braghettone," meaning "the breeches maker."

In a niche located along a corridor that leads to the cloister, there is a revered fresco known as the "Mater Admirabilis", depicting the Virgin Mary. Painted by Pauline Perdreau, a young French girl, in 1844, this fresco holds a reputation for its alleged miraculous nature.

Opening Hours:
Mon, Thu-Sat: 10am–8pm; Tue: 10am–7pm; Wed: 12–8pm; Sun: 9am–8pm