Caput mundi, Rome
Rome is famous for being a surprise at every step you take. Losing yourself a bit while walking through the city centre might lead you to beautiful places, one of them is square and church dedicated to Saint Ignacio located just on your way from the Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon. If you have more time and are not rushing up from one main site to another, square of Saint Ignacio will attract your attention with its strange shape.Designed by brilliant XVIII-th century architect Filippo Raguzzini resembles a theatrical setting with the curtain, two side exits and a scene. Just opposite to the concave building, stands Sant’Ignazio Church dedicated to Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Kept in baroque style, is a place where your eyes can play tricks on you and not always show what there really is.
Andrea Pozzo is the author of all that mess, talented painter who left a huge heritage. The ceiling beyond the central nave is decorated by his frescoes in such a way that the church seems to be much higher than it really is! I bet that while looking up you will ask yourself if it is really possible that all the sculptures and windows (which actually seem to give light) are seriously fake.
Strolling around the church you will see a small point on the floor, stand there and look up. Nothing so special? Some frescoes and a dome, you’d say. I agree, but if you move a little the dome disappears or at least it changes it shape. Why? That’s another trick of our maestro Pozzo., the perspective makes you believe that there is a dome, when in fact the ceiling is flat! This magic doesn’t cost anything, just grab your shoes and go, explore Rome!
