Rome

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Il Gesù

The Gesù, built in 1568-84, is the flagship church of the Jesuits, and was designed to involve the congregation as closely as possible in services, with a nave unobstructed by aisles. One of Rome’s great baroque masterpieces – Triumph in the Name of Jesus by Il Baciccia (1676-79) – decorates the ceiling of the nave. On the left is the ornate chapel of Sant’Ignazio (1696). Above the altar is what was long believed to be the biggest lump of lapis lazuli in the world; in fact, it’s covered concrete. Outside the church, at piazza del Gesù 45, you can visit St Ignatius’ rooms.

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