Named after the Greco-Roman goddess Minerva, the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva was built directly over the ruins of a temple devoted to her. Located in Piazza della Minerva, which is just one block behind the Pantheon in the Pigna rione of Rome, it is one of the major churches of the Roman Catholic Order of Preachers. The plain façade belies the treasures within.

Be spellbound by the neo-Gothic arched vaulting, painted blue with gilded stars and accentuated with gorgeous red ribbing. Let your eyes feast on Michelangelo's statue Cristo della Minerva (1521) and the late 15th-century cycle of frescos in the Carafa Chapel by Filippino Lippi. See the interesting tomb of Saint Catherine of Siena 1347-1380), patroness of Europe who was buried under the altar (except for her head, which is in Siena).