Santa Maria del Popolo

According to legend, this church, which is located outside the Pincio Gardens, was originally a chapel intended to ward off the evil spirit of Nero. It was expanded by Bramante in 1505, serving as the church for the Augustinian canons, and later underwent restoration by Bernini.

The church has a beautiful Renaissance façade, dome, and campanile. During his stay in Rome in 1510–1511, Augustinian Martin Luther lived in the order's house; nevertheless, after the Reformation, other Augustinians shunned the altar where he had celebrated mass. There are several tombs in its three aisles and side chapels, including two in the choir by Andrea Sansovino. Pinturicchio painted frescoes of the Coronation of the Virgin on the choir's vaulting. Raphael created the second chapel on the left in 1515 for the Chigi family, and the Cesari Chapel in the north transept has two well-known works by Caravaggio, the Crucifixion of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul.