Fun Things to Do – Cool Places to Go

Guest Author: Angela Nickerson

See Michelangelo’s Risen Christ
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, Italy

Thousands of tourists flock each day to see the Pantheon in Rome. It is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome, and it is certainly worthy of attention. But to get there, most pass right by Santa Maria sopra Minerva and miss one of Michelangelo’s lesser-known works in the process. After the Rome Pieta, the David, and the Sistine Chapel cemented Michelangelo’s reputation as Italy’s premier artist, he received a commission for a sculpture of the Risen Christ. It was delivered and installed in Santa Maria sopra Minerva in 1521 and was an immediate success. Worshippers began to touch the toes of the sculpture as a gesture of adoration, and the practice became so popular that the toes started to wear away, and church officials had a bronze shoe made for the sculpture’s foot. The bronze shoe is now gone but the bronze loincloth remains – the work of a squeamish clergy after Michelangelo’s death.

Lines for the museums are often long and the halls are crowded, but Santa Maria sopra Minerva is usually empty, and its cool shadows offer a lovely respite on a summer day. You will find Michelangelo’s sculpture at the left-hand side of the altar.

Biographical Information:
Angela K. Nickerson is a freelance writer and tour escort. Her first book, A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome (Roaring Forties Press, 2008) combines her great passions – travel, art, history, and Italy – in one volume. She can be reached through her blog, Just Go!: http://aknickerson.blogspot.com/

Websites: http://www.basilicaminerva.it/, http://aknickerson.blogspot.com/

- Share on Facebook Subscribe via RSS

Subscribe - Follow - Join

I've been nominated - I would greatly appreciate your vote!

Want to write a Guest Post for Things You Should Do?

Travel Blogger Guest Posts: If you'd like to write a guest post about your favorite restaurant, hotel or golf course - I would love it. Requirements, it must be an independent property (No chains!), it must have a website, you must have a good photo and it must be someplace you LOVE! Contact me at julie -at- things you should do dot com (no spaces) with the subject line guest post.

Have you Liked us Yet?

Join my Facebook Fan Page and add your favorite restaurants, hotels, golf courses, etc. right to the wall.



My comment policy - I think of this blog as my living room. If you're friendly, you're welcome here, but I don't want to share my home with spammers or rude people. And please don't forget - if you have a question or comment for the business featured here - their website link is listed above.

Filed under Arts & Culture, Europe, Italy, Rome, Sightseeing & Touring, Z - Guest Authors.
RSS 2.0, , Respond, or trackback.