CHURCH OF SAN LUIGI DEI FRANCESCI, Introduction

Hi, I'm Alyson, your personal guide. Together with MyWoWo, I'd like to welcome you to one of the wonders of the world.

Today I'll accompany you through the Church of St. Louis of the French, or San Luigi dei Francesi in Italian, which is one of the most fascinating churches in Rome!

Are you ready to see Caravaggio's most important painting cycle in Rome? Good. But first let me briefly tell you about this church's history, which owes its name to the fact that it has been the national church of the French since its founding; it is still attended by the French community in the city. Works on it began at the beginning of the 16th century and finished at the end of the century: it has a large, two-tiered façade from the end of the Renaissance period that culminates in a triangular pediment and is decorated with niches with sculptures.

The interior not only contains Caravaggio's masterpieces, but is full of other works of art: for example, there's a beautiful cycle of frescoes by Domenichino in the right nave in the Chapel of Saint Cecilia. But now, like most visitors, go to the fifth chapel on the left to see Caravaggio's three masterpieces....