The church on the square
Sant'Agnese in Agone occupies the central position on the western side of Piazza Navona, flanked by Palazzo Pamphilj. It is one of the most studied Baroque churches in Europe — not only for its intrinsic architectural value, but because its concave façade engages visually and historically with the Fountain of the Four Rivers standing opposite.
Entry is free. The church is open to the public for prayer and visits.
The site: the legend of Saint Agnes
According to tradition, the site on which the church stands was the scene of the martyrdom of Agnes of Rome, a Christian virgin put to death on the orders of the Emperor Diocletian around 304 AD. According to the legend, she was exposed naked in a brothel in the area of the Stadium of Domitian, and her hair miraculously grew to cover her. She was then beheaded.
The name in agone derives from the Latin in agonali, meaning in the area of the stadium (Greek athletic contests were called agones).
An oratory was built on the site as early as the fifth century. The present church is its seventeenth-century evolution.
The works: Rainaldi, then Borromini (1652–1677)
Construction of the present church began in 1652 at the behest of Pope Innocent X Pamphilj, to a design by the Rainaldi family (father Girolamo and son Carlo). The intention was to create a family church completing the adjacent Palazzo Pamphilj complex.
In 1653 Borromini took over as principal architect, radically modifying the design. Three are his fundamental innovations:
- The concave façade: Borromini curved the façade inward, creating an effect of depth and of "embracing" the square. The concavity contrasts with the classical convexity of many façades of the period and became one of the most imitated features of European Baroque.
- The raised drum: compared with the original design, Borromini raised the dome so that it is visible above the façade — the opposite solution to that adopted by Maderno for St Peter's, where the façade conceals Michelangelo's dome.
- The twin bell towers: two lateral towers with spires, which frame the dome and give the church's silhouette its recognisable form.
In 1657 Borromini was removed from the site for political reasons linked to changes in the pontificate (Innocent X had died in 1655). The works were completed by other architects, including Giovan Maria Baratta and Carlo Rainaldi, partially reflecting Borromini's design.
The interior
The interior has a Greek cross central plan, with four radial chapels. The decoration is extremely rich: polychrome marbles, gilded stucco work, frescoes in the drum and the dome.
Among the most important works preserved inside:
- The bust of Innocent X attributed to Bernini (or his workshop)
- Works by Alessandro Algardi and other seventeenth-century sculptors
- The reliquary of the skull of Saint Agnes, preserved in a dedicated chapel
The crypt
Beneath the church lies a crypt containing remains of the ancient medieval church and traces of the Stadium of Domitian. The crypt is accessible during certain hours of the day (check the entrance for times; usually included in the crypt ticket at around €3–5).
With a private driver
Arrive at Piazza Navona with a private driver. From your hotel, airport or station — direct and on time. Service from €49. → Book at myromedriver.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Sant'Agnese in Agone always open? The church is generally open to the public from morning until evening, with a closure during the central hours. Times vary; check on arrival.
Is entry charged? The church is free to enter. The crypt may have a separate contribution.
Did Borromini complete the church? No. He worked on the project from 1653 to 1657, then was replaced. The church was completed by others between 1657 and its consecration in 1672.
Why is the façade concave? For three reasons: to create visual depth, to make the church wider inside for a given frontage width, and to engage with the convexity of the base of the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Article n. 151 — TIER S — MON-08 Piazza Navona Type: HISTORICAL Words: ~800