San Nicola dei Lorenesi
| Church of Saint Nicholas of the Lorrains San Nicola dei Lorenesi Template:It icon Saint-Nicolas-des-Lorrains Template:Fr icon | |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Rome |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | National Church in Rome of France |
| Year consecrated | 1636 |
| Location | |
| Location |  Rome |
| Geographic coordinates | 41°53′59.6″N 12°28′20.7″E / 41.899889°N 12.472417°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | François Desjardins |
| Type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | 1632 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The Church of Saint Nicholas of the Lorrainers (Italian: San Nicola dei Lorenesi, French: Saint-Nicolas-des-Lorrains) is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Nicholas and the apostle Saint Andrew. It is one of the national churches in Rome dedicated to France (since the Duchy of Lorraine became part of France in 1766). Given to the Lorrainers by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, the pre-existing church of St. Nicholas was redesigned by Lorrainer architect François Desjardins (also called "Du Jardin" and italianized in "Francesco Giardini"), in 1632.[1]
The church was thoroughly renovated in 2006 and entitled to the Community of Saint John.
Interior
The architecture of the interior is characterized by a quite sober but evident barroque style with decorative effects based on the use of white and pink marbles.
Many frescoes and paintings by Lorrainer painters of the XVII and XVIII centuries also decorate the interior. In particular, two works by Nicolas de Bar: "Saint Catherine" and "The Visitation".
In 1731, Corrado Giaquinto was commissioned to execute the frescoes: "Saint Nicholas water gush from cliff", "The three Theologic Virtues", "The three Cardinal Virtues" and in the cupola "The Paradise".
The French painter Nicolas Mellin is buried in San Nicola.
Notes
- ^ "Saint Nicolas des Lorrains" (in French). Ambassade de France près le Saint-Siège.
References
