Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Walking around, we came across this beautiful Basilica.
So much to see, what lovely artwork and attention to detail. Located on the highest summit of the Campidoglio. It is still the designated Church of the city council of Rome, which uses the ancient title of Senatus Populusque Romanus. The present Cardinal Priest of the Titulus Sancta Mariae de Aracoeli is Salvatore De Giorgi.
The shrine is known for housing relics belonging to Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, various minor relics from the Holy Sepulchre, the canonically crowned image of Santa Maria di Aracoeli on the high altar and the Santo Bambino of Araceli.
The church is built as a nave and two aisles that are divided by Roman columns, all different, taken from diverse antique monuments. Among its numerous treasures are Pinturicchio’s 15^th-​century frescoes depicting the life of Saint Bernardino of Siena in the Bufalini Chapel, the first chapel on the right. Other features are the wooden ceiling, the inlaid cosmatesque floor, a Transfiguration painted on wood by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta, the tombstone of Giovanni Crivelli by Donatello, the tomb of Cecchino dei Bracci, designed by his friend Michelangelo, and works by other artists like Pietro Cavallini, Benozzo Gozzoli and Giulio Romano.
The relics of Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great are housed at Santa Maria in Araceli. As are the remains of Saint Juniper, one of the original followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Honorius IV and Queen Catherine of Bosnia are also buried in the church. The tablet with the monogram of Jesus that Saint Bernardino of Siena used to promote devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus is kept in Aracoeli.

Die Kirche Santa Maria in Aracoeli liegt auf einem Hügel unweit des Denkmals Vittorio Emanuele. Von außen ist die Fassade ehr schlicht und unscheinbar beschaffen. Der Innere Bereiche der Kirche ist mit schönen Gemälden und anderen Schmuckstücken dekoriert. Der von Michelangelo entworfene Grabstätte für eine reichen Adeligen ist ganz aus Marmor geschaffen. Es ähnelt der Medici Grabstätte in Florenz.
Ein Besuch der sich lohnt

There are two ways to get to this church and both involve a long climb! The most direct route is a long, steep flight of steps from Via Teatro Marcello or a slightly shorter climb from the left rear of The Capitoline Piazza. The original church was built on the ruins of the temple of Juno Moneta (root of the word «money») and was a sacred spot in Roman times.
Now, the church is a veritable treasure trove of art. There’s a fresco by Pinturiccio in one of the chapels, the relics of Saint Helena (mother of Constantine) and many, many raised floor tombs. One was designed by Donatello and another by Michaelangelo. Art aside, the church holds the «Bambino» — a statue of Baby Jesus supposedly carved from wood taken from the garden of Gethsemane. The original was stolen in the 90’s so the current statue is a replica, but still beloved by locals.
After a long, hot climb it’s a pleasant place to sit and admire the nave and altar, which are hung with crystal chandeliers. Definitely worth a stop when touring the «Ancient Rome» part of the city.

eine eindrucksvolle basilika direkt neben dem monument des vaterlands an der piazza venezia. wenn man auf der aussichtsplattform des monuments des vaterlands steht erreicht man die kirche durch einen seiten eingang. sonst muss man sich von unten (links neben der treppe zum campidoglio) die stufen hocharbeiten.
der anblick lohnt sich! hier an dieser stelle soll eine sibille dem kaiser augustus die geburt jesus geweissagt haben. die basilika ist von aussen unauffällig aber im inneren prunkvoll und erhaben.