Shrines of Italy: Chiesa Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini
The Church of Saints Vincent and Anastasius is a 17th century reconstruction of a much older church dating back as far as the 5th century. Located directly across from the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome, the church does receive many visitors each day, if only by association. I myself was drawn to investigate this church quite by chance while passing through.
It is believed to have served the Byzantine community in Rome during the Middle Ages, and was also used as a shelter for pilgrims traveling to and from the Vatican. By the 17th century, the church had been completely renovated into its current Baroque style by the Italian architect Martino Longhi the Younger.
One of the more notable features of this church consists of the massive painting behind the main altar, which depicts various scenes from the life of Saint Vicent of Zaragosa, who was a deacon and martyr in the year 304. Elsewhere, the relatively small church is decorated with a variety of frescoes, paintings, and marble side altars.
One of these in particular contains a unique, life-size representation of Our Lady of Fatima. It bears a great similarity to the statue I found in the city of Udine some years ago, and it certainly stands out among the other displays found here.
From a much broader perspective, the Church of Saints Vincent and Anastasius has played an important role in both the history of Rome and of the Catholic Church. It has been the site of many important religious events over the centuries, to include the canonization of St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1839. The latter, as you might recall, was an Italian Bishop, and a prolific writer, who was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871.
Today, the church’s proximity to the Trevi Fountain very much works in its favor, as many visitors to the 16th century landmark are naturally curious upon glimpsing the open doors to the Baroque style church just a few feet away. While it may never be anyone’s primary destination when visiting Rome, it’s always nice to step away from the crowds for a moment, to experience some of the more obscure treasures that the city has to offer.