Rome Pictures
Santa Maria in Aracoeli

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Santa Maria in Aracoeli, on the top of Rome's first base, the Capitoline Hill.

This Santa Maria - and there are many Santa Marias in the city - is an exquisitely different form from the rest. Built around 1260 the wonky steps were added in 1348 to celebrate the end of a plague. Emperor Augustus later had an altar constructed called Ara Coeli, the Altar of Heaven, thus the church's name.
The interior is also fine, with huge columns, a gilded ceiling and impressive frescos, if you can make it up the 124 steps.