Holy Basilica of St. Clement

The basilica is made up of three "layers": the current building founded during the medieval period, the home of a member of the Roman aristocracy, and a fourth-century church located below the basilica.

During the second century AD, the site of the church is now occupied by a Roman villa owned by Titus Flavius ​​Clemens, one of the first Roman senators to convert to Christianity teacher. The house was used for Christian worship, as being a Christian at the time was forbidden.

About a century later, a temple dedicated to Mithras, an all-seeing protector, was built on the same site. It would remain in use for initiation rites until the end of the third century.

On the second floor of the mansion, a large chamber was built, which would later become a basilica commissioned by Pope Siricius after the end of the persecution of Christianity in AD 313.

It is believed that the church was badly damaged during the Norman sacking of Rome in 1084. As a result, it was abandoned and buried below the city's street level. Years later, a new church, commissioned by Pope Paschal II, was erected on the same site and completed in 1108. It remains the same today.

At first glance, the Basilica of San Clemente looks like any other church in Rome. However, inside there are countless and unimaginable treasures. The small temple is beautifully decorated with twelfth century mosaics.

The entrance to the fourth-century church is through the basilica, where, although cold, dark and damp, visitors will be able to see numerous frescoes on the walls, as well as some of the mosaic pieces used. to cover the temple floor. .

Not only is the old church open, but visitors can also see ancient Roman villas made of old bricks. In one of the rooms, water flows through the Cloaca Maxima, the main sewer system of ancient Rome.

San Clemente is a unique attraction, definitely worth a visit. It is not only a visit to a beautiful twelfth century temple, but visitors can also explore an ancient temple from the fourth century and an old Roman villa with long dark corridors. and wet.

Business hours:

Monday - Saturday: 9am - 12:30pm and 3pm - 6pm
Sunday: Noon to 6pm

Fare:

Adult: 10€ (US$10.9)
Children under 18 years old and seniors over 65 years old: 5€ (US$5.5)