Sant’Andrea al Quirinale Church

This small Baroque church is located on Via del Quirinale in front of the Manica Lunga facade of the Quirinale Palace. The project was executed by the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a brilliant architect, sculptor and painter who made a huge contribution to the Baroque culture.

Construction was carried out on the instructions of Pope Alexander VII under the patronage of Cardinal Camillo Pamphli, whose coat of arms can be seen above the main portal of the church. The first stone was laid in 1658, the church was consecrated in 1670 in the name of the Apostle Saint Andrew the First-Called (Chiesa Sant'Andrea al Quirinale).

This is the first church of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Rome, so in some sources it is called Sant'Andrea al Noviziato.

Once inside the church, you can admire the huge and richly decorated interior space, which does not correspond to the small and modest facade.

The central nave has an oval shape in the plan.

The room is covered with an oval dome, decorated with gilding and sculptures. Large windows at the base of the dome provide effective natural light.

The interiors are lined with marble of different colors, decorated with pilasters and stucco.

The main altar is decorated with the painting "The Martyrdom of St. Andrew" by Guillaume Courtois, painted in 1668.

The altar has its own small dome with a natural light source.

In the chapel to the right of the main altar are three paintings by Giacinto Brandi: "Mourning for the Dead Christ", "Ascent to Calvary" and "Flagellation of Christ".