San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (Saint Carlo at the Four Fountains) was not too far from our hotel. We went there first thing in the morning before we visited the major sights such as Colosseum. JJ saw San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in the guidebook, and he was intrigued by the dome with geometrical pattern. Well, he was not disappointed. The church is such a gem.
The story goes Cardinal Francesco Barberini commissioned Francesco Borromini to design a church in a tiny cramped corner. The result was Borromini delivered a masterpiece. Borromini's clever use of geometrics makes the church appear larger visually than it actually is.
Outside the church, there are four fountains at the intersection where the church is located. These are Quattro Fontane. The church actually takes its name from them. They are late Renaissance fountains. The church is in late Baroque style.
The dome of the church is certainly the main focus. The symbol of the Holy Trinity is in the center of the dome and the most brightly lit. Also, take a moment to look at the serene courtyard. It is haunting. For a split second, it transports you back to the old days. And that scene stays with me.
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