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Sant'Andrea della Valle

Sant'Andrea della Valle (66)

This church was designed by Giacomo della Porta, although the facade and dome are the work of Carlo Maderno. A fact you ought to know is that it is the highest dome in Rome after Saint Peter’s. 

Its marvellous frescos are mostly the work of Giovanni Lanfranco, while his great rival Domenichino had to be satisfied solely with painting the dome’s medallions. Although these medallions are particularly beautiful, Domenichino was so envious of Lanfranco that it is said he even tried to kill him. 

The travertine facade was added by Rainaldi in 1650. Take a careful look at the angel at the top. Initially, there were supposed to be two figures but because of criticism, the sculptor refused to make the second. 

A visit to this church will be particularly appealing to opera lovers as it is the setting for the first act of Puccini’s Tosca. It was here where Tosca accused her lover Cavaradossi of betrayal. 

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