It was built in 1308 to serve an existing hospital, established in 1259 from a bequest of Cardinal Pietro Capocci for sufferers from saint Anthony's fire.

[1] The rector enjoyed the particular privilege that allowed him to attend the papal table and remove the leftovers for the benefit of the patients.

The church was abandoned shortly after the unification of Italy and the large square in front (where animals had traditionally been blessed on 17 January, St Anthony's feast day) was removed and the level of via Carlo Alberto lowered to create a huge double-stairway, by which the church is now accessed.

The annual blessing of the animals, a tradition that dates back to 1437, was transferred to Sant'Eusebio in the early 20th century.

Each nave terminates in an apse - the main one contains a crucifix by Giovanni Odazzi and the two side ones contain Russian iconostases.