Just steps from Piazza Venezia and the Trevi Fountain, facing the square that shares its name, Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, and right beside Palazzo Colonna, stands a basilica that countless tourists walk past without ever knowing it: the Basilica of the Holy Apostles / Santi Apostoli. Behind its facade hides a sumptuous Baroque interior, home to one of the early masterpieces of Antonio Canova and a spectacular frescoed ceiling. It is one of those churches that rewards anyone who stops to step inside.
History and what it is
The basilica's origins date back to the 6th century, but its present-day appearance is the result of Baroque reconstructions and a major renovation between the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally dedicated to the apostles Philip and James (whose relics are kept in the crypt) and later to all the Apostles, it has for centuries been entrusted to the Conventual Franciscan friars. The Renaissance portico and the Neoclassical facade tell the story of layers laid down across different eras, blending the Renaissance and the Baroque into a luminous, refined interior that frames masterpieces spanning the Renaissance to Neoclassicism.
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What to see
The basilica holds several masterpieces, set within a bright, refined Baroque interior. Here is what you shouldn't miss on your visit.
Canova's Tomb of Clement XIV
The basilica's masterpiece is the funerary monument to Pope Clement XIV, carved by Antonio Canova in the late 18th century. It was the young Venetian sculptor's first major Roman commission and the work that crowned him the greatest master of European Neoclassicism. Standing before it, you understand why Canova changed the way sculpture would be conceived forever.
Clement XIV (Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli) is the pope best remembered for suppressing the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1773. After his death, this funerary monument was dedicated to him and entrusted to Canova's rising talent, an opportunity the young sculptor turned into a personal triumph.
The composition shows the pope enthroned, his hand raised in a gesture of blessing, radiating calm authority. At his feet stand two female allegorical figures:
- Temperance, the symbol of balance and measure.
- Meekness (or Humility), the symbol of gentleness and clemency.
The whole conveys composure, balance and nobility, the core values of the Neoclassical aesthetic, far removed from the exuberance of the Baroque works that came before. With this monument, Canova introduced a new language to Rome: polished surfaces, pure lines, restrained emotion and a pursuit of ideal beauty inspired by the ancients. It was an instant success that opened the doors to the most important commissions in Europe, from Napoleon to the great noble houses, marking the beginning of the Roman career of the greatest sculptor of his age.
Baciccia's ceiling
Look up and you'll see the great frescoed ceiling of the nave, the work of Giovanni Battista Gaulli, known as Baciccia (the same artist behind the famous ceiling of the church of il Gesù): the Triumph of the Franciscan Order, a swirling Baroque composition that seems to "break through" the ceiling toward the heavens. A masterpiece of illusionism and movement.
The Melozzo da Forlì fragments
The basilica is also tied to Melozzo da Forlì: his celebrated fresco of the Ascension, which once decorated the apse, was dismantled in a later era. A few fragments, among them angel musicians of extraordinary beauty, are now kept elsewhere (the Pinacoteca Vaticana and the Quirinale), yet the connection with the basilica remains part of its artistic story.
The portico and the crypt
Also not to be missed:
- The Renaissance portico outside, with its famous relief of the imperial eagle.
- The crypt with the relics of the apostles Philip and James.
- The funerary monuments and side chapels, rich in works of art.
A simple order for taking it all in: admire Canova's Tomb of Clement XIV, look up at Baciccia's ceiling, dig into the story of the Melozzo fragments, take in the portico and the imperial eagle, then visit the crypt with the apostles' relics.
Tickets and hours
Admission to the Basilica of the Holy Apostles is usually free, as it is for most churches in Rome. You can walk right in to admire the Baroque interior, Canova's tomb, and the frescoed ceiling, no ticket and no reservation required. It's a great free stop in the heart of the historic center.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free |
| Booking | Not required |
| Opening days | Generally every day |
| Schedule | Split (morning and afternoon/evening) |
| Closures/limits | During Mass and liturgical services |
The basilica is generally open every day, on a split schedule (morning and afternoon/evening), as is typical of Rome's churches; hours may change for liturgical services (times are approximate, so check the official website or on-site). Sightseeing may be limited during Mass, so it's best to plan your visit outside service times.
As an active place of worship, the basilica requires modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) and respectful behavior, especially during services. The crypt holding the relics of the apostles may keep its own hours or access rules, so it's worth checking on-site.
How to get there
The basilica stands on Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, in the heart of Rome's historic center, just steps from Piazza Venezia and a short walk from the Trevi Fountain. It sits in a pedestrian, limited-traffic zone (ZTL) that is a delight to explore on foot.
On foot. The best way to get there: everything in the center is close by. You're just minutes from Piazza Venezia, the Altare della Patria, the Trevi Fountain, and the Fori Imperiali, so it's a natural stop on any stroll through the historic center.
By bus. Your reference stop is Piazza Venezia, one of Rome's main bus hubs, served by countless lines that crisscross the city. From there, the basilica is just steps away.
By metro. The closest metro stops are Colosseo (Line B) and Barberini or Spagna (Line A), from which you continue on foot or by bus. As is often the case in the historic center, buses and taxis/NCC are more practical than the metro, which doesn't reach the heart of the city.
By car and private driver (NCC). The area lies within a ZTL, with heavy restrictions on traffic and parking, so arriving in your own car is not advisable. With a private driver (NCC) the visit is far more comfortable: you're dropped as close as possible, the ZTL and any waiting are handled for you, and it's ideal for pairing Santi Apostoli with Palazzo Colonna, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia, or a smooth transfer.
Practical tips
- Free entry: walk right in to admire the interior and the Canova, no ticket needed.
- Avoid Mass times to visit at a relaxed pace.
- Look up: don't miss the ceiling frescoed by Baciccia.
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, as in any active church.
- Pair your visit: the basilica sits on the same block as the Galleria Colonna, so it combines perfectly with Palazzo Colonna, the Trevi Fountain (just minutes away), Piazza Venezia and the Altare della Patria, with the Fori Imperiali and the Quirinale also close at hand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Basilica of the Holy Apostles? A Baroque basilica near Piazza Venezia, dedicated to the apostles Philip and James and to all the Apostles, famous for Canova's Tomb of Clement XIV and Baciccia's ceiling.
Is there an admission fee? No, entry to the basilica is generally free, as it is for Rome's churches, and no reservation is required. Check opening hours and any restrictions on the official website.
What are the basilica's hours? It's generally open every day on a split schedule (morning and afternoon/evening). Hours change for services, so check on-site or on the official website.
What is the most important work to see? Antonio Canova's funerary monument to Clement XIV, an early piece and the Neoclassical sculptor's first major Roman commission, alongside Baciccia's ceiling and the link to Melozzo da Forlì.
How do I get there? On foot is best, with Piazza Venezia (a major bus hub) just steps away. The metro doesn't reach the heart of the center; the nearest stops still leave you with a walk. A private driver handles the ZTL and drops you as close as possible.
Can you visit the crypt with the relics? The crypt holding the relics of the apostles Philip and James may keep its own hours or access rules, so check on-site.
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