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 The interior of Santa Maria in
Aracoeli by Callavetta
Considering the very stark facade of this 700 year old church, the interior is very very ornate. The 22 stone colonades are said to have been taken from various ancient buildings. Leave a Comment
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A 4th century legend in two versions claims that the Blessed Virgin appeared to the emperor Augustus at this site, on the northern side of the Capitol hill or alternatively that the birth of the Son of God was foretold to the emperor by an oracle here. The stairs leading up to the church are impressing - 124 wide steps steeply ascending the Capitol hill. One of the most interesting things you will find inside is a copy of the statue of Santo Bambino (the 15th century original was made from olive wood from the Garden of Gethsemane), that worked miracles down through the ages and has been known to bring about inexplicable cures. The church gets many letters addressed to the Holy Child, and these are placed before the statue unopened.
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 by paradisedreamer
According to legend, the Emperor Augustus had a vision of the Virgin standing on an altar in a dazzling light and holding the baby Jesus in her arms. He heard a voice which said: ‘This is the altar of the Son of God’. The Emperor had an altar built on the site, the Ara Coeli (altar of the heavens). Be prepared there are a lot of stairs to the church!
. Leave a Comment Directions: Next to the Campidoglio
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 Santa Maria in Aracoeli by mrclay2000Leave a Comment
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 Santa Maria in Ara Coeli by Sarita76
Santa Maria in Aracoeli was built on the site of the ancient Roman capital.
It was once a temple for a pagan goddess and then transformed into a church dedicated to the Madonna.
According to a legend, the Emperor Augustus consulted the Tiburtine Sibyl. While she was speaking, the Emperor had a vision: the Virgin was standing on an altar holding the baby Jesus in her arms. Augustsus heard a voice saying: "This is the altar of the Son of God." So the Emperor raised an altar on that place, the Ara Coeli, meaning altar of the heavens. Leave a Comment Directions: Next to the Campidoglio and to the Altare della Patria.
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 by Julius_CaesarLeave a Comment Directions: On the left of the Capitoline hill
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 Steps to Santa Maria in
Aracoeli, Roam, Dec. 2000 by von.otter,
2 more photos
— Henry James (1843-1916) his assessment of the 137 steps leading to Santa Maria in Aracoeli
Because it sits on the highest summit of the Capitoline Hill this basilica-styled church was first called Santa Maria in Capitolo. By the 14th century, the Church of the Italian Senate and the Roman people (Senatus Populusque Romanus), had been renamed Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady of the Altar of Heaven).
A Byzantine abbey, dating from as early as AD 574, forms the foundation of the church. By the 9th century the church had been given to the Benedictines, then by order of the pope to the Franciscans, who operate it today. During the Middle Ages this church was the center of Rome’s religious and civil community. Condemned criminals met their end at the foot of the church’s steps during that period.
Today's stark façade contrasts to the rich mosaics, and later frescoes, that originally decorated it. The relics of Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, are housed here; and Pope Honorius IV is buried in the church. Leave a Comment
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Let me be honest and say it, I was just to tired and lazy to climb up by this stairs because from the bottom it looks miles away. Leave a Comment
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 Arcoeli Staircase by no1birdladyLeave a Comment Directions: Located on the northern summit of Capitoline Hill, just down from the Piazza.
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 Hold on, gotta catch my
breath. by american_touristerLeave a Comment Directions: Located at the Capitolene Museum area in the Capitol behind the Victor Emmanuel Monument.
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