San Paolo alla Regola, Baroque church in Regola district, Rome, Italy
San Paolo alla Regola is a baroque church in Rome's Regola district, built on a Greek cross plan with four corner chapels. A central dome crowns the structure, while Giuseppe Sardi designed its facade in 1728.
The church sits on the location where Saint Paul lived under house arrest before Emperor Nero ordered his execution. The current baroque building was erected as a memorial to honor this significant site in Christian history.
The name refers to Saint Paul, whose veneration has shaped this place for centuries. Visitors can see artworks inside that tell stories of the saint and reflect the spiritual meaning the location holds for the community.
The church is open daily for worship and visits, with access to underground archaeological remains beneath the building. Comfortable shoes are recommended if you plan to explore the lower levels, as the ancient foundations can be uneven underfoot.
Excavations from 1978 to 1982 revealed four building levels beneath the church, including structures from ancient Roman times when the area functioned as riverside warehouses. These discoveries allow visitors to see layers of history stacked directly below the modern sanctuary.
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