Santa Francesca Romana Church

Address: Piazza di Santa Francesca Romana (Roman Forum), Rome, Italy

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.

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.

• 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.