San Francesco di Paola ai Monti


History

It was built in 1645-50 with funds given by Olimpia Aldobrandini Pamphili, who had roots in Calabria. It was designed by Giovanni Pietro Morandi, given to the Minim Friars, and became the national church of the Calabrians. The monastery was refurbished under Father Francesco Zavaroni di Montalto, General of the order, and using as an architect Luigi Berettoni.
The late Baroque high altar was made by Giovanni Antonio de Rossi c. 1655. No new bell tower was built for the church - instead the 12th century Torre dei Margani was used, preserving its medieval coat-of-arms on the tower has been preserved.
However, the church as a whole was not consecrated until 10 July 1728, by Pope Benedict XIII. The lower part of the façade was refinished in plaster in the 18th century, and the whole church was then restored in 1826 by Pope Leo XII.
The present titular cardinal-deacon of the church, since 21 October 2003, is Renato Martino.

Chapels

The church contains an icon of Francis said to be a copy of a portrait, along with scenes from the life and miracles of the saint which can be seen in the sacristy and examples by Giuseppe Chiari in the second chapel on the south side.
The ceiling of the sacristy was painted by Sassoferrato, with a motif of "The Blessed Virgin appearing to St Francis of Paola". On the side wall is the Crucifixion and St Francis of Paola by Francesco Cozza.
By the door to the presbytery are the tombs of Lazzaro Pallavicini and Giovanni Pizzullo, both with busts by Agostino Corsini.
  1. 1st: Altarpiece of Saint Anne, Joachim and the Madonna by Filippo Luzi and ceiling frescoes by Onofrio Avellino.
  2. 2nd: Altarpiece of St Francis of Assisi
  3. 3rd: Altarpiece of Sts Francis of Paola and Francis of Sales, patrons of the Order, painted by Antonio Crecolini.
  1. 1st chapel: Altarpiece by Stefano Pozzo and ceilings frescoed by Onofrio Avellino
  2. 2nd chapel: Altarpiece of Immaculate Conception by Stefano Pozzo
  3. 3rd chapel: painting of St Michael the Archangel by Giacomo Triga and relics of Blessed Nicola of Langobardi in a porphyry urn.