Santi Cosma e Damiano, Minor basilica in Roman Forum, Italy
Santi Cosma e Damiano is an early Christian basilica in the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy, assembled from two ancient Roman structures. The rectangular church hall leads to a semicircular apse where sixth-century mosaics display religious scenes with Christ and saints, while the round rotunda of the former temple serves as a vestibule.
The structure started as a pagan temple in the fourth century and was converted into a Christian church in 527 through a donation. In 1632 the floor was raised by approximately 7 meters to protect the building from Tiber floods, creating two levels that remain today.
The names Cosmas and Damian recall two brothers from Syria who worked as physicians treating people without charge and were later honored as saints. Today their figures still appear in the apse mosaic beside Christ, showing how important these patron saints of medicine were and remain for worshippers.
The entrance today is located on Via dei Fori Imperiali because the old access from the Forum became inaccessible after the floor was raised. The church can be visited during daytime hours, with morning light particularly bringing out the apse mosaics.
Beneath the current church lies a hidden lower level that shows the original temple floor and preserves remains of the ancient pavement. This space acts like an archaeological time capsule, offering a glimpse into the Roman level of the Forum before the building was raised.
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