Santa Maria della Vittoria

Santa Maria della Vittoria is a Baroque church in central Rome, completed in the early 17th century and notable for its high-quality interior sculpture and decoration.

Built in the early 1600s for a Roman religious community, the church acquired its most famous feature when Bernini and his workshop completed the Cornaro Chapel and the Ecstasy sculpture in the mid-17th century. The interior decorations reflect successive Baroque campaigns rather than a single architectural phase.

Situated in central Rome a short walk from the Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini areas, the church is within Rome’s historic core and reachable by central-city public transport.

• Bernini's Ecstasy: Best seen in the Cornaro Chapel where Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (sculpted c. 1647-1652) is displayed; the chapel is compact so arrive early to avoid crowds.
• Access and timing: Nearest metro and bus connections make it a short walk from central Rome, and the church is often quieter outside mid-day service times.

What to See #

• Cornaro Chapel: Contains the Cornaro Chapel, the church chapel that houses Gian Lorenzo Bernini's marble group the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, installed in the mid-17th century and set within a theatrical marble and stucco interior.
• Nave and high altar: The main nave and high altar area feature early 17th-century Baroque decoration and sculptural work typical of Roman churches of that period.