Basilica of San Clemente
Located just a five-minute walk from the iconic Colosseum, the entrance to the Basilica of San Clemente can be found in Piazza San Clemente. This remarkable site is not just a basilica but a treasure trove of history, featuring an underground archaeological complex that captivates pilgrims, art enthusiasts, and visitors from around the globe. Explore the layers of Rome’s past like nowhere else. The Basilica of San Clemente offers a unique journey through time, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to delve into the rich tapestry of Rome’s history.
Descending below the present church, you’ll uncover a 4th-century church adorned with some of the world’s finest medieval frescoes, dating from the 8th to the 11th century. Venture even deeper to reach the 1st-century area, featuring a Mithraic temple and a large public building surrounded by the ancient waters of Rome. In one of the lateral chapels, you’ll find a shrine housing the tomb of Saint Cyril. Above these historical layers stands the magnificent 12th-century Basilica, showcasing a stunning mosaic, early Renaissance frescoes, the 6th-century marble chancel from the earlier church, and the intricate Cosmatesque floor. Immerse yourself in centuries of history and art by visiting the Basilica to experience the rich tapestry of Rome’s past and present.
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Information from history
HISTORY OF THE BASILICA
This ancient church, originally a private home used for clandestine Christian worship in the 1st century, evolved over the centuries into a grand public basilica by the 6th century. This transformation reflects the growing legitimacy and power of the emerging Catholic Church. The fascinating archaeological traces of the basilica’s rich history were uncovered in the 1860s. Visit this remarkable site to witness the layers of history and the rise of early Christianity.
Basilica of San Clemente
The basilica of San Clemente is one of the most fascinating churches in Rome, not only because of its wonderful art but also for the fact that here in the different layers of this complex, one can witness the growth of the city of Rome down the centuries. The church is situated about 300 meters from the Colosseum, on the road that leads to the Lateran Basilica. It nestles in a valley between the Caelian and Oppian hills. The church takes its name from Pope Saint Clement, the third successor of St Peter, who died around the year 100 AD.
Up to about 165 years ago, it was generally held that the present church was the ancient church of Saint Clement mentioned by Saint Jerome in the 4th century. Writing about St Clement, he wrote that a church in Rome preserved the name and memory of St Clement up to his own day, – nominis eius memoriam usque hodie Romae extructa ecclesia custodit. However, in 1857 Father Joseph Mullooly, the prior of San Clemente, realised that the ground level was much deeper in the past, excavated under the present church and discovered the original 4th century basilica underneath the present one. Digging underneath this ancient church, he uncovered another, even deeper, complex of buildings of the 1st century.
Subsequently other excavations were carried out, especially when in 1912-14 Father Louis Nolan built a drainage tunnel between San Clemente and the Colosseum to carry away water that was flooding the lower levels. These excavations, revealed the remains of buildings destroyed in the fire of Nero in 64 AD.
More recent excavations have uncovered the baptistry and the sacristy of the lower church. The baptistry area is monumental in size, with a great baptismal font and some very fine frescoes. The sacristy or secretarium has the remains of a 6th century marble floor. These discoveries are significant contributions to our understanding of the liturgy in 6th century Rome.
How did all these ancient buildings become buried so deeply? In the 1st century, the street level in the area of San Clemente was some 20 meters below that of the presentday. After the fire of 64 AD, the ruined buildings were abandoned, filled with earth and used as the foundations for new structures. These buildings were at a level more or less corresponding to that of the floor level of the Colosseum today.
Source: basilicasanclemente.com
Where to get tourist information?
Contacts
Basilica San Clemente
Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome RM
tel. +39 06 7740021
e-mail: segreteria@basilicasanclemente.com
web: basilicasanclemente.com
Moravian Slovakia Museum
Smetanovy sady 179, 686 01 Uherské Hradiště
tel. +420 572 556 556
e-mail: info@slovackemuzeum.cz
web: www.slovackemuzeum.cz
Velehrad Tourist Centre
Salašská 328, 687 06 Velehrad
tel. 723 984 080
e-mail: ticvelehrad@email.cz
web: www.velehrad.cz
How to get to basilica?
You can arrive here with the subway, Metro Line B (metro stop Colosseo) and walk for about 10 minutes on the road called Via San Giovanni in Laterano. From St. Peter’s, you can catch the bus 571 and disembark at the second stop after the Colosseum. Otherwise, if you are coming from Venice Square, you can catch bus 85 or 850 for 5 stops and you’ll arrive approximately 50 meters from the church’s entrance. The address of San Clemente is Via Labicana 95.