Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri

The Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri is a truly unique church in Rome, built within the preserved frigidarium (cold bath) and part of the tepidarium of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. Its transformation into a Christian basilica was famously undertaken by Michelangelo Buonarroti in the 16th century. Michelangelo masterfully adapted the vast spaces of the Roman baths, preserving their immense scale and structural integrity while adding Christian elements. The result is a church of breathtaking proportions, unlike any other, with soaring ceilings and colossal columns that were part of the original Roman structure. A notable feature is the 'Meridian Line' or 'Linea Clementina,' an astronomical sundial engineered in the 18th century, which precisely marks the solstices and equinoxes. The basilica also houses significant artworks and tombs, offering an extraordinary fusion of ancient Roman grandeur and Renaissance artistry, right in the heart of modern Rome.