San Carlo ai Catinari is a church dedicated to St Charles Borromeus, Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal. It is also known as Santi Biagio e Carlo ai Catinari, as it was formally dedicated to both St Charles Borromeus and St Blaise. More pictures of the church at Wikimieda Commons.[1]
History
The church was built between 1636 and 1638 by the Milanese congregation in Rome, who were anxious to honour their new saint. Rosato Rosati was commissioned to design it. It was consecrated on 19 March 1722 by Cardinal Lorenzo Corsini.
The church lies in an area where dishmakers traded their goods, hence the appellation.
It was restored in the 19th century, and again in 1915 after it had been damaged by an earthquake.
This is a parochial church, which has been served by Barnabite Fathers since it was founded. While St Charles Borromeo was not a Barnabite, he is a Patron of the Order because of the extensive help and support he gave it.
Exterior
The travertine façade is by Giovanni Battista Soria, designed 1635. It has two storied with eight pilasters. On ground level, there is a large door flanked by two smaller doors. On the upper, a balcony with two false windows. The façade is crowned by a tympanon with the coat of arms of Cardinal Leni.
The late Baroque convent of the Barnabites is adjacent to the church, on the left side.
Interior
The church is built on a basilical plan, but with side chapels making the shape more or less a Greek cross.
The dome was designed by Rosato Rosati. It has a wonderful coffered interior, and is the third largest in a Roman church after San Pietro in Vaticano and Sant'Andrea della Valle.
The painting behind the high altar of St Charles Borromeo is by Pietro da Cortona, made 1667. The saint is depicted carrying a Holy Nail in a procession to avert plague at Milan. There are also paintings in the apse of scenes from the life of the saint by Guido Reni. The apse was lengthened in 1638. The high altar itself was made by Martino Longhi.
The chapel of the Madonna of Providence, at the right of the sanctuary, has a copy of the 16th century canvas venerated in the house of the Barnabite Fathers.
The second chapel on the right side is dedicated to St Blaise, and has a painting of The Martyrdom of St Blaise by Giacinto Brandi.
There is also a chapel, the third on the right, dedicated to St Cecilia, patroness of music. It was designed by Antonio Gherardi.
On the counterfaçade is a fresco of The Charity of St Charles Borromeus by Mattia Preti, and one of St Charles Borromeus' Mission against Heresy by Gregorio Preti.
Try to visit the sacristy, where there is a crucifix inlaid with marble, glass and mother-of-pearl on the altar. It was made in the 17th century by Alessandro Algardi. There is also a depiction of The Risen Christ by Cavaliere d'Arpino.
Liturgy
On 22 November, the memorial day of St Cecilia, the Academia di Santa Caecilia plays sacred music during the festal Mass. If you are a music-lover and happen to be in Rome at that time of year, you won't regret attending this Mass.
The memorial of St Charles Borromeus is celebrated on 4 November.