Things to do

Cortile delle zitelle - Complesso del San Michele

Via di S. Michele, 18, 00153 Roma RM

Rating: 5.0 ★ (1 rating)

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I'm adding to Maps one of the gems you can visit if you participate in one of the initiatives for the public opening of the San Michele complex. Formerly the home of the ICCD, which occupies the entire eastern block of the complex, this was once the site of the Conservatorio delle Zitelle, added to complete the entire building starting in 1790 under Pius VI. The construction was the work of architect Niccolò Forti, who used the old foundations of pre-existing buildings. The true gem of the complex is the late-18th-century square courtyard, called the Cortile delle Zitelle, featuring a travertine fountain (like the fountain in the Cortile dei Ragazzi, but smaller). It is surrounded by three-story porticoes with cross vaults and connected by a monumental staircase on the side facing the Tiber. From here, you enter the former Chiesa delle Zitelle, built within the Conservatory following the failure to build the fourth wing of Carlo Fontana's church overlooking the Cortile dei Vecchi (the so-called Chiesa Grande). It's a small, three-bay church with barrel or ribbed vaults and simple decorations. The church is now used as an exhibition hall. Need some useful info? Then leave a like and

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https://artbonus.gov.it/1070-istituto-centrale-per-il-catalogo-e-la-documentazione-(iccd)%3B-complesso-monumentale-di-san-michele-a-ripa-grande,-roma.html

Comments

Roberto Cecchini
9 May 2025
5.0 ★
I'm adding to Maps one of the gems you can visit if you participate in one of the initiatives for the public opening of the San Michele complex. Formerly the home of the ICCD, which occupies the entire eastern block of the complex, this was once the site of the Conservatorio delle Zitelle, added to complete the entire building starting in 1790 under Pius VI. The construction was the work of architect Niccolò Forti, who used the old foundations of pre-existing buildings. The true gem of the complex is the late-18th-century square courtyard, called the Cortile delle Zitelle, featuring a travertine fountain (like the fountain in the Cortile dei Ragazzi, but smaller). It is surrounded by three-story porticoes with cross vaults and connected by a monumental staircase on the side facing the Tiber. From here, you enter the former Chiesa delle Zitelle, built within the Conservatory following the failure to build the fourth wing of Carlo Fontana's church overlooking the Cortile dei Vecchi (the so-called Chiesa Grande). It's a small, three-bay church with barrel or ribbed vaults and simple decorations. The church is now used as an exhibition hall. Need some useful info? Then leave a like and check out my other reviews of Rome and beyond.

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