Alemanni Portico and Sanctuary

The Alemanni portico is another major example, after the exceptional San Luca portico, of a suburban devotional portico.
It owes its name to the Teutonic Order of knights, a monastic military order that was established at the time of the Crusades and founded an oratory in the 13th century at this location.
The portico was built between 1619 and 1631 to connect the church, located 700 metres outside Porta Maggiore, and in the meantime was entrusted to the Barefoot Carmelites at the city walls, so that the faithful could go there protected from bad weather. The name of Floriano Ambrosini has been mentioned as regards the design.
The Sanctuary, built to shelter a miraculous image, was redesigned in baroque style in the 17th century and houses a chapel, the work of Ferdinando Bibiena, dedicated to the Holy Family.
The building underwent further transformations in the 19th century.