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Altar of Heaven Santa Maria in Aracoeli Rome

Inside, the Church houses works by Andrea Bregno, Benozzo Gozzoli, Arnolfo di Cambio, Cavallini and Pinturicchio, just to name a few of the most important figures of the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods. The visit will also explore some curiosities linked to the city's popular devotion, such as the “Bambinello dell'Aracoeli”, a 15th-century sculpture carved from olive wood from the Garden of Gethsemane and covered with precious ex votos. According to popular belief it had miraculous powers and devotees would visit to ask for help with an illness or misfortune. Until it was stolen in 1994, it was a tradition to bring children to recite Christmas poems during the holidays. The experience concludes with a meeting with a friar from the community, who will share his life experience and the charitable and cultural works that the friars still carry out today in this community's spirit.