In the 14th century, there was a chapel here for the palace of the University of Rome.
The University is called La Sapienza, and the church was dedicated to Saint Ivo (or Yves, patron saint of jurists).
When a design was commissioned from Borromini in the 17th century, he adapted to the already existing palazzo.
He chose a plan resembling a star of David - which would have been recognized at the time as a Star of Solomon, symbolizing wisdom - and merged a curved facade of the church with the courtyard of the palace.
The corkscrew lantern of the dome was novel.
The complex rhythms of the interior have a dazzling geometry to them.

The main artwork of the interior is the altarpiece by Pietro da Cortona, portraying St. Yves.
In the 14th century, there was a chapel here for the palace of the University of Rome. The University is called La Sapienza, and the church was dedicated to Saint Ivo (or Yves, patron saint of jurists). When a design was commissioned from Borromini in the 17th century, he adapted to the already existing palazzo. He chose a plan resembling a star of David - which would have been recognized at the time as a Star of Solomon, symbolizing wisdom - and merged a curved facade of the church with the courtyard of the palace. The corkscrew lantern of the dome was novel. The complex rhythms of the interior have a dazzling geometry to them.
The main artwork of the interior is the altarpiece by Pietro da Cortona, portraying St. Yves.
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza