Santa Maria in Ara Coeli

Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven
Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracœli (Italian) Basilica Sanctae Mariae de Ara Cœli (Latin)
Façade of the Basilica with the Ara Coeli staircase and the adjacent Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
41°53′38″N 12°29′00″E / 41.8939°N 12.4833°E / 41.8939; 12.4833
Location	Scala dell'Arce Capitolina 12, Rome
Country	Italy
Denomination	Catholic
Tradition	Latin Church
Religious order	Franciscan Friars Minor
Website	Official Website
History
Status	Minor basilica Titular church Conventual church Regional church
Founded	7th cent
Dedication	Mary Queen of Heaven
Cult(s) present	Santo Bambino of Aracoeli
Relics held	Brother Juniper
Architecture
Style	Romanesque, Gothic
Completed	12th century
Specifications
Length	80 metres (260 ft)
Width	45 metres (148 ft)
Nave width	20 metres (66 ft)
Clergy
Cardinal protector	Salvatore De Giorgi

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven (Latin: Basilica Sanctae Mariae de Ara Cœli in Capitolio, Italian: Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Cœli al Campidoglio) is a titular basilica and conventual church of the Franciscan Convent of Aracoeli located the highest summit of the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy. From 1250-1798 it was the headquarters of the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor as well as being once of the cities principal civic churches. It is still the designated church of the city council of Rome, which uses the ancient title of Senatus Populusque Romanus. The present cardinal priest of the Titulus Sanctae Mariae de Aracoeli is Salvatore De Giorgi.

The shrine is known for housing relics belonging to Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, various minor relics from the Holy Sepulchre, both the pontifically crowned images of Nostra Signora di Mano di Oro di Aracoeli (1636) on the high altar and the Santo Bambino of Aracoeli (1897). It is also famous for the exquisite Pinturicchio frescos in the Bufalini Chapel on the right hand side of the west doors.