Chiesa di Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio

Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale


Originally known as the 'papal church' due to its proximity to the papal residence on Quirinal Hill, this 17th-century church safeguards the hearts and internal organs of dozens of popes – preserved in amphorae in a tiny gated chapel to the right of the apse. This practice began under Pope Sixtus V (1585–90) and continued until Pope Pius X (1903–14) decided the tradition was not for him. There are good views of the Trevi Fountain, opposite, from the front steps.

Traditionally, before the body of the deceased pontiff was embalmed in preparation for the solemn and elaborate funeral ceremony that would last for several days, the precordia – heart, stomach, intestines and other less-fragrant internal organs – were removed and brought here for sacred safekeeping. Two marble tombstones on the apse wall, to the right of the altar, list the 23 popes whose precordia are preserved here.

Transportation

  • metro: Barberini

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale attractions

1. Città dell’Acqua

0.03 MILES

The little-known excavations of Vicus Caprarius (the name of the ancient street) include a Roman house and a Hadrian-era cistern that connected with the…

2. Trevi Fountain

0.03 MILES

Don't miss a visit to Rome's iconic Fontana di Trevi, or Trevi Fountain.

3. Galleria Sciarra

0.1 MILES

Meander west from Trevi Fountain, along pedestrian Via delle Muratte, and duck a block south to this magnificent art nouveau courtyard, hidden away on Via…

4. Piazza del Quirinale

0.17 MILES

A wonderful spot to enjoy a glowing Roman sunset, this piazza, which is dominated by the imposing presidential palace of Palazzo del Quirinale, marks the…

5. Basilica dei Santi Apostoli

0.19 MILES

This much-altered 6th-century church is dedicated to the apostles James and Philip, whose relics are in the crypt. Its most obvious attraction is the…

6. Piazza Colonna

0.19 MILES

Together with the adjacent Piazza di Montecitorio, this stylish piazza is Rome’s political nerve centre. On its northern flank, the 16th-century Palazzo…

7. Palazzo Odescalchi

0.19 MILES

The western length of Piazza Santi Apostoli is dominated by the 17th-century facade of Palazzo Odescalchi, spilt into apartments today.

8. Colonna di Marco Aurelio

0.2 MILES

Towering over Piazza Colonna, the 30m-high Colonna di Marco Aurelio was completed in AD 193 to honour Marcus Aurelius’ military victories. Its vivid…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/rome/tridente/attractions/chiesa-di-santi-vincenzo-e-anastasio/a/poi-sig/1566144/1321004",
      "destination": "Tridente,-Trevi-&-the-Quirinale",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Italy",
      "region": "Lazio",
      "city": "Rome",
      "neighborhood": "Tridente,-Trevi-&-the-Quirinale",
      "position": "superzone"
    }