Caravaggio-Hopping on a Roman Holiday

A Rome itinerary for art lovers: Track down Caravaggio’s masterpieces in museums, palaces, and churches across the Eternal City.

San Luigi dei Francesi, located near Piazza Navona in central Rome, serves as the national church of France in Rome. It's famous for housing three paintings by Caravaggio depicting scenes from the life of St. Matthew. Photo Beto/Getty Images

What to do when you’ve had the good fortune of visiting a favorite city multiple times? Create a new objective. This was my mission on my last trip to Rome. Trevi Fountain, the Forum, the Vatican, and the Sistine Chapel? Check, check, check, and check. But what if you go on an art treasure hunt?

One of my favorite Italian artists is Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, or simply Caravaggio. Born in Milan in 1571, he later moved to the town of Caravaggio. He died in 1610 at age 38 but spent most of his painting life in Rome—when he wasn’t on the run from debts, lawsuits, or a death sentence for a murder he committed in a brawl.