Basilica of San Clemente
Descend through almost two millennia of Roman history at San Clemente, where a medieval basilica stands above a 4th-century church and an even older Roman complex. The basilica is also home to the tomb of Saint Cyril, making it one of the most important Cyril and Methodius sites in Rome.
What can you discover here?
12th-Century Basilica
The upper basilica preserves a medieval interior with a magnificent apse mosaic, Cosmatesque pavement and a marble choir. Its architecture represents one of the important medieval churches of Rome.
Apse Mosaic
The apse mosaic presents a complex Christian symbolic programme centred on the Cross and the Tree of Life. It is one of the artistic highlights of the basilica.
4th-Century Basilica
Below the present church lies an earlier basilica dating from the 4th century. Its surviving walls and medieval frescoes provide evidence of the long development of Christian worship at the site.
Medieval Frescoes
The lower church preserves important frescoes from the early medieval period. They provide valuable evidence of Roman Christian art before the construction of the present basilica.
Tomb of Saint Cyril
A shrine containing the tomb of Saint Cyril is located in a lateral chapel. It is one of the most important sites connected with the Cyril and Methodius mission in Rome.
History & Heritage
The Basilica of San Clemente is one of Rome’s most remarkable archaeological churches. Its importance lies in the exceptional sequence of buildings preserved beneath the present basilica.
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The upper church dates from the 12th century and contains a richly decorated apse mosaic, Cosmatesque pavement and a medieval marble choir. The building replaced an earlier church that had existed on the site for centuries.
Below the present basilica are the remains of a 4th-century church. Its architecture includes a nave, side aisles, apse and narthex. Medieval frescoes preserve important evidence of the development of Christian art in Rome.
A further level contains Roman structures dating from the 1st century. Among them is a Mithraic temple, providing evidence of religious life in imperial Rome before and alongside the development of Christianity.
The basilica has a direct connection with Saint Cyril. A shrine containing his tomb is located in one of the lateral chapels. According to the tradition associated with the site, Cyril died in Rome in 869 and was buried at San Clemente.
The basilica therefore connects Roman antiquity, early Christianity, medieval art and the history of the Cyril and Methodius mission in a single archaeological complex.
Practical Information
Sunday and holidays 12:00–18:00.
Last entrance 30 minutes before closing.
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Basilica of San Clemente
Basilica of San Clemente – Archaeological Excavations
Location
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