Chiesa di S. Margherita

The Chiesa di S. Margherita presents a compact Greek-cross plan: a square central space, a vestibule, and three rectangular arms. Its cylindrical dome, capped with a blind lantern, rises over the centre, while barrel vaults with lunettes cover the arms. Light enters through a double order of windows along the arms, larger arched windows, and eight circular eyes at the dome’s base.

Inside, eight columns support the vaults; above each, a stucco shield is held by putti. In the four corners stand stucco statues by Barberini, with painted emblems of St Dominic above them. The capitals, putti on the trabeation, and other stucco decorations are by the quadraturista M. Tornelli.

The façade, facing Via V. Emanuele, has a pediment on corbels and columns with Ionic festooned lesenes. Two stucco statues flank the extremities, topped by torches. A quadrangular Baroque campanile, with four pediments over its belfry openings, flanks the dome’s drum. The lantern is blind, encircled by a cornice on small corbels with drops, echoing those on the façade. Eight circular windows, framed with a broken-based Doric frieze, pierce the drum. A cast-iron pinnacle with an angel surmounts the cupolino.

Description via source. Coordinates and heritage data from the Atika atlas.