San Crisogono, Minor basilica in Trastevere, Italy
San Crisogono is a basilica in Trastevere, defined by 22 granite columns in its nave, a 12th-century bell tower, and a floor decorated with geometric cosmatesque patterns. The interior shows a carefully planned layout where ancient columns combine with later architectural additions.
The original church was built around 401 AD under Pope Sylvester I on the site of an earlier Roman residence. Major renovations in 1123 and 1626 transformed the building into its current form.
This place served as the national church for Sardinian and Corsican residents in Rome, creating a gathering space for these Mediterranean communities. Visitors can still sense these historical connections in the church's decoration and the way the space is experienced today.
Visitors can explore the remains of the original 4th-century church through a staircase in the sacristy beneath the current building. The access is straightforward and offers a glimpse into the deeper layers of the site.
Archaeological digs uncovered 2nd-century brickwork beneath the apse, revealing the church was built on the foundations of a wealthy Roman private home. This discovery links the sacred history of the site directly to Roman domestic life.
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