This is a small church in Rome called Santa Barbara dei Librai.
When I say “small” I mean “teeeeny tiiiiiiny,” so I like to call it “the tiny church by Campo de’ Fiori.”
I love Santa Barbara dei Librai. It seems so out of place. It’s in a triangular piazza off of Via dei Giubbonari. The angle of the piazza makes it feel like the bordering apartment buildings are going to swallow the poor little church up.
Santa Barbara dei Librai was built in the 11th century on top of the ruins of the Theater of Pompey.
BIG F*$&ING DEAL ALERT: This is where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
Little gems down every street. Every street, I tell ya!
This awkward little church is adorable and marks the site of a HUGE historical event. Unfortunately, I usually use it as merely a landmark.
How to Get from Campo de’ Fiori to Trastevere:
- Walk away from the statue, down Via dei Giubbonari.
- When you see the crazy little church (Santa Barbara dei Librai) on your left, turn right.
- Walk straight down the narrow street and cross Ponte Sisto.
- Tah Dah. Welcome to Trastevere.
I LOVE THIS CHURCH! It is one of my favorite little pockets in Rome! I think I have 100 photos of it because every time I go to Rome, I have to snap a photo like it the first time I have seen it. Bravissima! Thank you for posting 🙂
Wow, who knew? Fabulous factoid!
I love such hidden gems!
Great little church. Did not know the bit about Caesar! I went there one morning to photograph in Campo Di Firoi and enjoyed a cup of coffee while the cafe next door setup for the day and all the merchants from the market in Campo Di Fiori came by and chatted before starting their day. Just a great little spot and a great way to start a day in Rome.
Just found your blog yesterday and am really enjoying it. When I found this post, I just had to post it on my blog so I won’t forget it when my wife and I visit Rome for the first time in September. I gave you credit of course 🙂
Thanks again.
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Found this church thanks to your blog. Was shocked when it was open. I loved it!
Yay! I’m so glad. It’s still one of my very favorites. I always have to pop in if I have time.
Actually the church is not on the site of Caesar’s assassination, but quite close to it. The square has a triangular shape because it is built on a sector of Pompey’s theater. Caesar was killed in Pompey’s Curia, which was located a few hundred yards east of it. One can see its back wall in the “Area Sacra Argentina” excavations, almost in front of the Teatro Argentina. The spot of the assassination is marked by a replica of Pompey’s statue which can be found in a courtyard of a building in Via Monte della Farina.
Interesting!
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