About the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Rome, Italy:
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena (Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena), often just called La Maddalena, serves as the conventual church of the General Curia of the Camillians (Clerks Regular, Ministers to the Sick), the world headquarters of the order founded by St. Camillus de Lellis. It is also Rome’s regional church for people from the Abruzzo region and, since 2024, holds the cardinal title of Santa Maria Maddalena in Campo Marzio.
The church originated from a 14th-century chapel belonging to the Arciconfraternita del Gonfalone, which included an attached hospital. In 1586, it was granted to St. Camillus de Lellis (an Abruzzese priest) as the seat for his newly founded order dedicated to caring for the sick.
Major reconstruction was done in the 17th century, with completion of the main structure around 1699 in Baroque style. Architects involved included Carlo Fontana (dome and vault, 1673), Giovanni Antonio de Rossi, and others. The church was consecrated in 1727 by Cardinal Giovanni Ottoboni and the distinctive façade was completed in 1735.
The church is one of Rome’s finest and rarest examples of Rococo architecture (often called “barocchetto romano”), a style uncommon for Roman church façades. It blends Baroque structure with playful Rococo ornamentation, offering a more intimate and ornate contrast to Rome’s grander basilicas. The relics of St. Camillus and its ties to the Camillian order’s charitable mission add significant spiritual depth.Its ornate, curved façade—sometimes nicknamed the “chiesa di zucchero” (“sugar church”) for its confection-like stucco decorations—features undulating lines, floral motifs, and statues in niches: St. Camillus de Lellis and St. Philip Neri (lower level), and St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martha (upper level). Giuseppe Sardi is traditionally credited with its design, though some attribute elements to others like Emanuele Rodriguez Dos Santos.
The interior has a complex layout with an elongated octagonal nave (Borromini-influenced), side chapels, a transept under the dome, and a deep apse. Key features include:The dome (attributed to Carlo Fontana) with frescoes by Stefano Parrocel (1739) depicting the Holy Trinity with saints.
The sacristy (1738–1741) stands out as one of Rome’s best-preserved Rococo rooms, with lavish paintings, stuccos, gilding, trompe-l’œil effects, and painted wood cabinets mimicking marble.
The left chapel is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari, with rich 18th-century decorations, paintings (e.g., by Sebastiano Conca, Baciccia/Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Luca Giordano), and marble inlays.
The right transept chapel is dedicated to St. Camillus de Lellis, housing his relics.
About Saint Camillus:
Camillus had, to put it mildly, a rough start in life. His mother died when he was a child, his father neglected him, and he grew up with an excessive love for gambling. At 17, he was afflicted with a disease of his leg that remained with him for life. In Rome he entered the San Giacomo Hospital for Incurables as both patient and servant, but was dismissed for quarrelsomeness after nine months. He served in the Venetian army for three years.
Then in the winter of 1574, when he was 24, Camillus gambled away everything he had—savings, weapons, literally down to his shirt. He accepted work at the Capuchin friary at Manfredonia, and so moved by a sermon of the superior one day that he began a conversion that changed his life. He entered the Capuchin novitiate, but was dismissed because of the apparently incurable sore on his leg. After another stint of service at San Giacomo, he came back to the Capuchins, only to be dismissed again, for the same reason.
Again, back at San Giacomo, his dedication was rewarded by his being made superintendent. Camillus devoted the rest of his life to the care of the sick. With the advice of his friend Saint Philip Neri, Camillus studied for the priesthood and was ordained at the age of 34. Afterward, contrary to the advice of his friend, Camillus left San Giacomo and founded a congregation of his own, The Camillian Order, also known as the Order of Saint Camillus. As superior, he devoted much of his own time to the care of the sick.
Charity was his first concern, but the physical aspects of the hospital also received his diligent attention. Camillus insisted on cleanliness (the importance of which was not recognized in the hospitals of that time) and the technical competence of those who served the sick. The members of his community bound themselves to serve prisoners and persons infected by the plague as well as those dying in private homes. Some of his men were with troops fighting in Hungary and Croatia in 1595, forming the first recorded military field ambulance.
In Naples, he and his men went onto the galleys that had plague and were not allowed to land. He discovered that there were people being buried alive, and ordered his brothers to continue the prayers for the dying 15 minutes after apparent death.
Camillus himself suffered the disease of his leg through his life. In his last illness, he left his own bed to see if other patients in the hospital needed help. Today, the Camillans have missions in Haiti, Philippines, Rwanda and Sudan.
Along with Saint John of God he has been named patron of hospitals, nurses, and the sick.
Visiting the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Rome, Italy:
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena (Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena) at Piazza della Maddalena, near the Pantheon, making it easy to combine with other central Rome sights. The church is active and free to enter. It is typically open mornings and afternoons (hours can vary; check the official Camillians site for updates).
Address: Piazza della Maddalena 53
There is no website for the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Rome, visit the official Camillians website.