Italy in Photos

Piazza della Libertà, 00073 Castel Gandolfo, Italy (September 2019)

Parrocchia di San Tommaso da Villanova

Standing gracefully on the edge of Piazza della Libertà in Castel Gandolfo, the Parrocchia di San Tommaso da Villanova is a jewel of Baroque architecture and a central landmark in the town’s cultural and spiritual life. Commissioned by Pope Alexander VII and designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the church was built between 1658 and 1661 to serve as the parish church for both the local community and the papal court when the Pope resided in Castel Gandolfo during the summer months. Bernini, renowned for his ability to blend elegance with harmonious proportions, created a design that was both simple and striking. The church’s façade is refined rather than ostentatious, using clean lines and balanced curves to draw the eye upward toward the dome. The main entrance is framed by pilasters and topped by a triangular pediment, offering an inviting sense of symmetry that contrasts with the bustling square outside.

Inside, the church reveals its most distinctive feature: a circular plan crowned by a high, luminous dome. This centralised layout was unusual for parish churches at the time but reflected Bernini’s intention to create an intimate yet uplifting space for worship. Light streams in through the dome’s windows, bathing the interior in a warm, celestial glow that enhances the pale tones of the walls and the restrained decoration. The main altar, with its sculptural elegance, is dedicated to Saint Thomas of Villanova, a 16th-century Spanish Augustinian friar celebrated for his charity and humility. Side chapels along the circular walls house additional altars and devotional artworks, creating small spaces for private prayer within the unified whole of the sanctuary. The church’s acoustics, shaped by its geometry, also make it an ideal venue for sacred music.

Beyond its architectural beauty, the Parrocchia di San Tommaso da Villanova remains an active centre of community life. It hosts regular Masses, weddings, and religious celebrations, continuing its centuries-old role as a gathering place for Castel Gandolfo’s residents. Its position beside the Papal Palace underscores its historical importance as a place where the spiritual needs of both locals and visiting pontiffs were met. Today, the church is admired not only for its Berninian design but also for the serene atmosphere it offers to those who step inside. It stands as a harmonious blend of artistry, devotion, and history—a timeless presence at the heart of Castel Gandolfo.