Sant'Agnese in Agone at a glance
The church of Sant'Agnese in Agone faces Piazza Navona and sits opposite the Fountain of the Four Rivers. It is a baroque church from the 17th century, dedicated to Saint Agnes. The name tells you where it stands: "in agone" refers to the games that were held on this ground when it was the stadium of Domitian.
It is a working church. You can visit it outside service times, and the main visiting hours are given below. Inside you can see the painted dome. Visiting hours can change, so check the notice at the door.
Services and entry
Do not plan a sightseeing visit during Mass.
Mass times
On Saturday Mass is at 19:00. On Sundays and public holidays it is at 12:15 and 19:00. These are times for worship, not for sightseeing, so plan your visit around them.
Entry to the church
Visiting the church has been free of charge. The crypt, concerts and special tours are separate, so ask at the church or look at the current notice for those.
Behaving in the church
Treat it as a place of worship. Keep your voice low and look for any notice at the entrance about rules for visitors.
Tours around Piazza Navona
Walking tours of the historic center that pass the church and the square, with live prices and availability.
Who built the church
It was not Borromini alone.
Work started on 15 August 1652 under Girolamo Rainaldi and his son Carlo. In 1653 the project passed to Francesco Borromini, who changed the facade, the effect of the dome and the entrance hall. The church is often described as a work of Borromini, but that is too simple: the building is the result of two architects in succession.
The rebuilding began under Innocent X Pamphilj, who also ordered the fountain in the square in front of it. The palace of the Pamphilj family stands right next to the church. Since 1960 it has been the seat of the Brazilian embassy. Do not confuse it with Palazzo Braschi, which is a different palace with a museum, or with the Doria Pamphilj gallery on Via del Corso.
The saint and the site
A tradition, not a proven detail.
The church is linked to Saint Agnes, a martyr of ancient Rome. Tradition links her martyrdom with this ground. It is a tradition and not an archaeological fact, so treat details about how it happened as part of the story.
The crypt is a separate visit and it is a different place from the Stadium of Domitian, whose entrance is on Via di Tor Sanguigna. The church points guided crypt visits to a booking route on its visit page. Work in the small crypt area resumed in May 2025, so you cannot count on every part being open. The stadium itself is closed for restoration; see the Stadium of Domitian page.
The rivalry story and the dates
Bernini against Borromini is a legend.
A popular tale says that one of the river figures of the fountain shields itself from the facade of this church, built by Borromini. The dates do not support it. The fountain was finished in 1651, the church was begun in 1652 and Borromini took over in 1653. For the fountain itself, see the Fountain of the Four Rivers page.
For a wider look at how the square grew around the old stadium, read the history of Piazza Navona. The lanes behind the church lead to Via dei Coronari.
How to plan your visit
The church fits into a walk across the square.
Monday
The church is closed on Monday, and so is the permanent collection of the Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi. Monday suits the square, the fountains and the market at Campo de' Fiori, which runs on the mornings from Monday to Saturday.
Campo de' Fiori →Morning or afternoon
The church closes from 13:00 to 15:00. Plan your visit for the morning or for the afternoon, not for the hours in between.
Sunday
On Sundays Mass is at 12:15, just before the midday break. Come early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Sant'Agnese in Agone: frequently asked questions
When is Sant'Agnese in Agone open?
Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 20:00. It is closed on Monday. Check the notice at the door, since visiting hours can change.
Is entry to the church free?
Visiting the church has been free. The crypt, concerts and special tours are separate, and their prices are not fixed here.
Can I visit during Mass?
It is better not to. Mass is at 19:00 on Saturday and at 12:15 and 19:00 on Sundays and holidays. Those hours belong to worship.
Who built the church?
Girolamo Rainaldi and his son Carlo began it in 1652. Borromini took over in 1653 and changed the facade, the dome effect and the entrance hall.
Is the crypt open?
Guided visits go through a booking route that the church names. Work in the small crypt area resumed in May 2025, so ask before you plan a visit around it.
Is this the church of the Stadium of Domitian?
No. The stadium ruins have their own entrance on Via di Tor Sanguigna and are closed for restoration. The church and the stadium are different places.