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Church of St Mary of the Assumption in Rocca Santo Stefano: the local parish church
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo is located in Rocca Santo Stefano, a municipality within the Metropolitan City area of Rome Capital. Built in 1749 in late Baroque style based on a design by the architect Aristide Pozzi, it serves as the town's parish church.
A church born twice
A church already stood here prior to 1749. It was small, unrefined, and dark, with light enteringd only through a single window above the entrance. The bell tower stood inside the nave, taking up part of the space. It had three altars and, on the outside, a cemetery. In 1720 it was decided to rebuild everything from scratch: the archpriest struck an agreement with master builder Fedele Marasca from Subiaco. But the works only truly began in 1749, respecting the layout of the previous church and following a design by convent architect Aristide Pozzi, in late Baroque style. The construction was funded by the local community and by the confraternities of the Most Holy Sacrament and Rosary. The inscription on the arch of the main altar bears witness to this: "Divina tantum ope et mira populi consensione."
What to see today
The single nave is spacious — 12 by 25 meters — with a vault 16 metres tall. The checkerboard floor in veined white Carrara and black marble dates from 1932. In 1876 Cardinal Monaco La Valletta consecrated the church and main altar: a marble plaque on the side wall documents this. In 1976 the five side altars and the main altar were demolished and replaced with the current altar facing the congregation, topped by a marble baldachin.
