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There is a church in Rome in which every day a little big “miracle” is enacted. Would you like to know more about the “daily” miracle at the Chiesa del Gesù? This is a must-see event for those in the city and for those who take one of our TOURS! We’ll make sure to take you at the right place at the right time… At the Chiesa del Gesù for the “daily” miracle.
THE CHIESA DEL GESU’
There is a very impressive Church in Rome in which every day, at the same time, a small miracle takes place. It is the Chiesa del Gesù, located in the Piazza del Gesù, where every day at 17:30 a mechanism is activated that lowers an ornate, 6-meter-long altarpiece.
Its daily and punctual descent, as if it were a large curtain, uncovers the view of the niche where the precious silver statue of St.Ignatius of Loyola and the three angels is kept.
The original statue, the work of Pierre Le Gros, was cast during the French occupation of 1798. The work was carried out in Antonio Canova‘s studio, probably by Adamo Tadolini (1788-1868).
THE MECHANISM BEHIND THE DAILY MIRACLE
The baroque rocker mechanism has been in functioning since the 1600s. It is considered the first movie screen in history. In fact, the architectural layout of the chapel in which it is located reminds the viewer of a theatre or movie screen. The immense columns, placed at the side of the chapel, open a “scenic arch” under which the scene “magically” takes place. The canvas placed in the niche above the sarcophagus of St. Ignatius acts as a curtain.
Chapel of St. Ignazio of Loyola
The canvas, like a curtain, rises and falls with a system of rockers. And it is at this point that the “miracle” occurs: the canvas descends and gives way to an imposingly gilded bronze sculpture.
Participating to the daily miracle allows the spectator to witness the glory of St. Ignazio di Loyola himself. A true coup de théâtre.
Come to Rome and take one of our TOURS. We’ll make sure to be at the Chiesa del Gesù at the right time. We’ll make sure you’ll participate to the “daily” miracle.
