Façade of S. Marcello

     This building was dedicated as a memorial in remembrance of San Marcello. During the reign of Emperor Maxentius, Pope Marcello was captured and detained. Kirk (December 01, 2006) tells us that he was later freed by the Christians and taken in by one of them called Lucina. He was eventually arrested again and made to work as a stable in harsh conditions. He later died and was buried in the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla. After the reign of the emperor, a church was built over Lucina's house. The pope's remains were then exhumed and transferred to the church. It was designed by Carlo Fontana.  The church was built between in 1682-1686. It was later consecrated in 1952. It was traditional believed that the church was built over the confinement of Pope Marcello. Beneath the main altar, there are some relics of several saints including Pope Marcello. Similarly, there is a Crucifixion by Giovanni Batista Ricci (Kirk, December 01; 2006). The execution is located behind the façade.  The crucifix miraculously escaped the fire that had burnt down the prior version of the church. The building was later evaluated and decided to be finished 1952.

Two stories can be noticed from afar. The entrance door-case of the first story is molded. A floating cornice was placed just above it. On top of it, there is a magnificent sculpture of a saint by the name of St. Philip Benizi.  The portrait depicts the saint refusing to accept a tiara handed to him by Antonio Raggi. It was perceived that Philip did not consider himself worthy of being the Vicar of Christ. The story's sides have a pair of statues of both St. Philip and Pope St. Marcello.

The other story, however, is built on an attic. Its outer corners that correspond to the design is chamfered; the chamfers apparently is a pair of columns are placed under the chamfers.  The main entrance of the second story has four rectangular columns that are facing a large window that is rectangular in shape. 

The second story has statues that are embodied in it; the statues are those of Blessed Gioacchino, and Blessed Francisco are sculptured on the outer corners of the attic. On the entrance, there are pictures used to represent Faith and Hope to its faithful's. The allegories seem to appear cheerful and at peace.

The church is known for having five chapels structured in the same building. The first chapel is located on the right-hand side. The chapel belongs to Marchese Maccarani and it is seen to hold the Annunciation by Lazzaro Baldi. The second chapel, however, is the work of Francesco Ferrari. It portrays the martyrdom of Sst. Digna and Emerita of Pietro. The third chapel there is a portrait of Giovanni Batista. (Kirk, December 01; 2006)

Reference .

Kirk, T. (December 01, 2006). Framing St. Peter's: Urban Planning in Fascist Rome. The Art Bulletin, 88, 4, 756-776.