Santa Francesca Romana

Santa Francesca Romana, also known historically as Santa Maria Nova, is a church located at the edge of the Roman Forum and dedicated to St Frances of Rome. The church contains chapels and devotional spaces associated with the saint and the local Roman community.

Architecturally the building contains medieval and later additions and houses paintings, tombs and a cell associated with St Frances, who lived in the 15th century. The church functions as both a parish church and a site of local devotion.

The present building overlays earlier Roman structures and has been altered across the medieval and post-medieval periods, reflecting the long continuity of Christian worship on the site.

The church stands on the southeast edge of the Roman Forum in central Rome, adjacent to archaeological remains and within walking distance of the Colosseum and Capitoline Hill.

Forum-adjacent location: Located immediately adjacent to the Roman Forum, it preserves elements and artworks from medieval and later periods tied to the cult of St Frances of Rome.

How to Get to Santa Francesca Romana #

Santa Francesca Romana (Santa Maria Nova) stands at the edge of the Roman Forum, close to the Capitoline Hill. It is within easy walking distance of the Colosseo area; from the Colosseo Metro station (Line B) the church is typically a 5-10 minute walk through the Forum/Capitoline area. Many central buses and taxis will also drop you nearby at Piazza Venezia or the Foro Romano entrances.

Tips for Visiting Santa Francesca Romana #

Combine a visit to Santa Francesca Romana with a walk around the less-crowded parts of the Roman Forum and the nearby Capitoline area-early morning or late afternoon gives the best light and fewer tour groups.
Enter by the small piazza in front of the church to avoid the stream of tourists moving between the Forum and surrounding sites, and allow time to see the crypt and votive displays, which many passers-by miss.
Check the church's posted opening times before you go; it sometimes closes for services, so targeting mid-morning on weekdays reduces the chance of restricted access.

Best Time to Visit Santa Francesca Romana #

Visit in spring or early autumn and aim for weekday mornings to enjoy the church with fewer crowds.

Shoulder seasons (Best)

April-June, September-October · 10-22°C

Mild temperatures and moderate tourist levels make for an easier, quieter visit to this church near the Forum.

Summer (Busiest)

July-August · 20-32°C

High tourist season brings larger groups and busier services; plan to visit early to avoid crowds.

Winter (Quiet)

November-February · 3-12°C

Fewer visitors inside the church, though weather is cooler and some nearby archaeological areas may be less accessible.

Weather & Climate near Santa Francesca Romana #

Climate

Santa Francesca Romana's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (713 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 55 Moderate

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

41°

Warmest Month

-5°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 12°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

4° – 13°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.5h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 16°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

8° – 18°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

13.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 23°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

14.4h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

16° – 27°

62%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

30 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

15.0h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 30°

55%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

15 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.7h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and clear sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 30°

55%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

33 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

13.7h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 27°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.0h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

97 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

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