This tiny, intimate typical for Borromini church was created between the years 1642-1660 and was once a university chapel belonging to the former complex of the La Sapienza University. Its arcade wings surrounding the inner courtyard were designed by Giacomo della Porta and it was to them that the two-story church façade was fit. On it, Borromini placed the dome, snaking upwards, anxious in its dynamic form, filled with six windows, which on the outside seems to be just a simple polygonal drum. It is divided into six fields imitating a plan of a star. It is topped off by a spiral lantern, at the base of which there is a cross which seems to extend it even further upwards.

In the interior, Borromini as was his custom, gave the walls both concave and convex forms, at the same time keeping them white in color, which he preferred in his buildings. This was the case previously as well, in the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, which he designed. However, as opposed to this church, Sant’Ivo is built on a plan of a six-pointed star, of which the tops are interchangeably either trapezoid or semi-circular niches. The interior is divided by Corinthian pilasters, niches and apses, which are finished with a massive entablature and the aforementioned dome. The only colorful element of the decoration of the main altar which catches the eye, is an altarpiece depicting Saint Yves as the defender of the poor. It was created in 1680 and is the work of Pietro da Cortona.

Both the church interior and its façade are decorated with moldings and ornamental elements which express a specific ideological program. It relates to the idea of Divine Wisdom, but also to those who commissioned the church construction. Let us start with this second function. One of the more important elements of the building decoration was commemorating the name of the founder. In the long process of the church creation there were three of them and all left their marks here. The church was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and a bee of the family crest of the Barberinis is the abstract figure (six insect legs), on which the architect based its plan. The bee also appears on the ornamental decoration of the church. The second pope who immortalized his input, this time into finishing the church, was Alexander VII. Elements of the Chigi family coat of arms – three mountains (monti) forming a cone and an eight-pointed star, can be seen without too much of a problem, both on the outside – since they flank the façade on the level of the dome, as well as in the dome. They compose a window ornament made in stucco, which is accompanied by seraphs and cherubs. They float as if in the direction of the lantern, which was previously enhanced by a gypsum dove hanging on its inside, an element of the Pamphilj coat of arms, of Pope Innocent X. Another dove is found on the outside, on the finish of the lantern, while two others on the façade, high above the enterance. This symbolism was unanimously connected with the miracle of descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles (the Pentecost) and as a result onto all the faithful, which takes place in the bowl of the dome and descends upon them through the cherubs (symbol of Divine Wisdom) and seraphs (symbols of brotherly love). On the day of Pentecost, the Church preached to the faithful a joyous message of salvation. Since the Middle Ages, flowers were dropped from the ceiling and doves were released, symbolizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Pentecost is considered to be the beginning of the church based on Divine Wisdom, which is God-given, along with faith and only through faith is it achieved, being in direct opposition to wisdom, which is attained by man during the course of many years of studies. This was clearly accentuated at the enterance to the buildings of the then La Sapienza University in the engraving of Old Testament words: INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DMINI (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom). Therefore, a church found in the papal university complex became a purely architectural allegory of Divine Wisdom.

Until the time the university was moved in 1935 it was a university church. Today it is surrounded by buildings where city archives are located.