Located on land owned by the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome, the Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio is among the oldest in the city and is home to the Confraternity of the same name which, in the ancient apothecary, continues to produce ointments, perfumes and elixirs …and a wine called Suffragium!
Probably among the oldest churches in the city, the church of Santa Maria del Suffragio was built on one of the three votive churches, that of the SS. Crucifix, commissioned by Ugone del Cassero after his return from the first crusade together with his sons Giacomo, Ugolino and Baldovino. Over time it often changed its name: initially dedicated to the Holy Trinity, then subsequently called "of the Crucifix" and from 1618 dedicated to Santa Maria del Suffragio as it was the seat of the same brotherhood which has the aim of honoring the suffrage of the souls dwelling in purgatory. The church is characterized by a single rectangular nave with a square apse chapel and five altars. On the High Altar or of the SS. Crucifix it is possible to admire, dominated by a beautiful stucco Glory, the splendid Crucifixion, a work by an unknown artist from the Marche-Romagnolo, dating back to the 14th century, the oldest painting of the Church of Suffragio which leads back to the very origins of the church. Deconsecrated and used for art exhibitions and various cultural initiatives, it preserves on the altars paintings attributed to Muziano, Geminiani, Guerrieri and Bartolomeo Giangolini from Fano.
The church is still today the seat of the Confraternity of S. Maria del Suffragio which obtained the use of the church in 1618. Thanks to careful recovery work, the ancient and fascinating building was recently reopened and made accessible to the public. “Apothecary of the Suffrage Confraternity” where the apothecary, alchemist and profound connoisseur of herbs, prepared ointments, syrups, perfumes and miraculous Elixir Vitae or Elixir of Long Life, with very secret recipes. The ancient apothecary laboratory rooms are now operational again and it is possible to book a visit to discover the ancient natural-based remedies of the alchemical tradition and taste a special wine!
