Italy by Greg Pulles
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2009

Sacred Places

Rediscovering the Churches of Rome

An 800 Page 8x12 book about the author's 60 favorite churches in Rome. Greg Pulles has authored and photographed 7 books about his second home, Rome. He is an avid historian, photographer, and student of art and architecture and Catholicism. This book, loaded with 1200 photographs all by the author, gives the complete history and content of each church. Organized into 11 walks, each church is given its own chapter, covering its history, art, architecture, relics, chapels and faith sites
  • — Hardcover, 800 pages
Buy ($74)

From the opening pages

“This church is a grand Cosmati church, much of the building and most of the ornamentation having been done by the great Roman marmorari, who came to be known as the Cosmati, who dominated the art of Rome for some two hundred years, 1100-1307. The portico and campanile are theirs, as is the pavement, schola cantorum, epistle and gospel ambones, candelabra, bishop's throne, altar and ciborium, and altar screen. It is a superb example of what these sculpture-architect-mosaicists could do, and the church is perhaps the best example of what a true Cosmati church looked like at the and of the thirteenth century. This church has been closed for many year for restoration. I was lucky to be here in May of 2007 for its reopening, when the Greek priests were here in great numbers and splendor for Mass.

Vox Lectorum

Reader Reviews

After I returned from my recent trip to Rome, I was looking to find a book that would give me information and capture the beauty of the various churches I visited. This book exceeded my expectations in providing both a useful guidebook on a great many of the wonderful churches in Rome and in providing brilliant color photos of the churches in a hardcover volume that is great coffee table edition to share memories of Rome! When the package arrived, I was delighted to see it included this huge, richly photographed volume with the major churches and basilicas of Rome, as well as some of the important churches that are not often found in other illustrated Rome church books, including station churches, like SS Apostoli, San Martino ai Monti, San Crisogono, SS Giovanni e Paolo, San Giorgio al Velabro, SS Cosma e Damiano and Santa Sabina.

— S

After a recent pilgrimage to Rome, I needed a book that would help me learn about the history, architecture, and beautiful art I saw in the churches (although I saw only 13, not 60)! This big, beautiful, and informative book exceeds expectations. The book is filled with detailed photographs and explanations of architecture, sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and more. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Rome, to sit with this book in the churches I visit, and gain a better understanding and appreciation of what is around me. Great purchase!

— S

A superb book. Magnificent photographs are complemented by insightful text detailing the history and architecture of Rome’s churches. Even a casual perusal of this volume will cause the reader to conclude that it’s time to return to Rome and see those churches again --- with a greater appreciation of their art and history. What a triumph for the author -- and what a great benefit to us as readers and pilgrims!