It is a powerful reminder of how religion uses the material—architecture, jewels, and even bones—to bridge the gap between the mundane and the transcendent. The church becomes a vessel where the past and the sacred are physically present and lavishly adorned.

What fascinates me is their presentation. They are fully dressed in silk and gold. In the post-Reformation era, these bodies from Roman catacombs were "re-sacralized" to give the faithful a tangible, glorious link to the early martyrs. It was also a powerful 'memento mori'.

© Lilla Alida Kristóf

But look closer at the side altars. You’ll find something both macabre and beautiful: the complete skeletons of St. Benedict and St. Donatus. They are not just remains; they are "Catacomb Saints" brought from Rome in the 18th century. 💀💎

The dome is the first thing that hits you. Johann Michael Rottmayr’s fresco (1714) isn't just art; it’s a theological statement. Through light and perspective, the architecture literally opens up to "heaven." A perfect example of the Baroque 'theatrum sacrum'.

Muchas gracias, Paco!

The programme ⬇️⬇️

📢El 28 de septiembre salimos a las calles en Madrid, Barcelona y València para pedir que se cumpla el #PactoXLaCiencia @investigal.bsky.social @fpuinvestiga.bsky.social