Madonna dell'Archetto

Located on the backside of the Palazzo Muti, the Church of the Madonna dell'Archetto (Our Lady of the Little Arch) was created to house an allegedly miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. That painting on maiolica, created in 1690 by Domenico Muratori for the Papazzurri family, was originally situated inside the palace. Over time, observers have claimed that the icon could move its eyes around and even weep. As such, it became an object of local veneration and was showcased for the public to see.

Eventually, the Papazzurris decided to construct a chapel to house their image. Designed by Virginio Vespignani and opened in 1851, Madonna dell'Archetto was constructed in the Renaissance Revival style of the mid-19th century. The cupola notably contains frescoes by Constantino Brumidi, who also painted the rotunda of the United States Capitol. This chapel is often claimed to be the smallest church in Rome, a city no doubt known for its hundreds of churches.