Rome - Santa Maria della Vittoria

Must-see attractions nearby: Colosseum Pantheon Trevi Fountain Vatican City Roman Forum Palatine Hill National Museum / Baths Museum

This attractive Baroque church, built by Carlo Maderna in 1608-20 (restoration 1990-91) for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, is of imposing effect with its finely contrived decoration of colored marble, rich stucco ornament and paintings. The most impressive thing in the church, however, is the altar of St Teresa of Avila (fourth chapel on the left), created by Bernini for Cardinal Cornaro. St Teresa (1515-82), the mystic and writer who re-founded the order of Carmelite nuns, is depicted in a state of ecstatic rapture, pierced by the love of God which is symbolized by the arrow of the angel who hovers over her. In the sacristy are pictures and flags commemorating the battle of the White Mountain.