Santa Maria in Via Lata - church on the Via del Corso (in the past - Via Lata) in Rome, not far from the church of San Marcello al Corso. Legend has it that the apostle Paul spent two years in the crypt under the church, while under house arrest while awaiting trial.

The first Christian church on the site was the oratory of the 5th century (consecrated building used for religious rituals defined group of persons). It was built on the ruins of a large Roman warehouse that is 250 meters long. The upper floor of the church was built in the 9th century, and wall paintings dating back to the lower level of 7-8 th centuries. To this period belongs extant mosaic flooring style cosmatesque.

In the church of Santa Maria in Via Lata kept the icon of the 13th century with the image of the Virgin Mary, which is credited with various miracles. And under the icon remains stored Agapito Martyr (3rd century). Another notable tomb belongs to Antonio Tebaldeo, poet and a friend of Raphael, who was buried in the north aisle of the church in 1537. True, the grave was only formalized in 1776.

In 1639 the church building was renovated under the project of Cosimo Fandzago, but its impressive facade with Corinthian columns was completed only in the years 1658-1660, with the participation of the architect Pietro da Cortona. Inside Santa Maria in Via Lata, you can see the throne with the "Madonna of lawyers" - one of the few paintings, which is credited with authorship of Bernini. Ciborium (monstrance) in the apse made of alabaster and lapis lazuli. In addition, the church is the work of Giacinto Brandi ("The Martyrdom of St. Andrew"), Giuseppe Ghezzi ("Saints Giuseppe and Nicola Biagio") and other artists of the 17th century. The altar is decorated with a marble bas-relief also working Cosimo Fancelli.