Santa Maria della Pace

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Built in 1482 for Pope Sixtus IV, Santa Maria della Pace was given its theatrical Baroque façade by Pietro da Cortona in 1656. The church's most famous artwork is just inside the door: Raphael's Sibyls, painted in 1514 for Agostino Chigi, the playboy banker and first owner of the Villa Farnesina. Even if the church is closed, you can visit the beautifully harmonious cloister by Bramante, his first work after arriving in Rome in the early 16th century. Paying exhibitions are often held here, but no ticket is required to see the cloister itself. Walk in and climb to the upper level (where there's a pleasant bar, and a bookshop offering a tantalising glimpse of Raphael's Sibyls).