Santi Bonifacio e Alessio, Minor basilica in Ripa, Rome, Italy
Santi Bonifacio e Alessio is a church in Rome with three naves separated by pillars and a medieval four-sided entrance portico. A thirteenth-century bell tower with double windows rises above the structure and defines its profile.
The church was originally dedicated to Saint Boniface in the fourth century but underwent major rebuilding in 1216 under Pope Honorius III. Significant renovations in 1750 transformed its interior appearance.
The wooden staircase of Saint Alessio sits displayed in a glass case near the entrance, supported by sculpted angels. It represents the church's connection to this medieval saint and serves as a focal point for visitors' reverence.
The Romanesque crypt beneath the church is open to visitors and houses relics of Thomas Becket. Visitors should expect this underground space to be cooler and darker, decorated with twelfth-century frescoes of religious symbols.
The cloister incorporates granite columns salvaged from ancient Roman buildings. From this courtyard, views extend across the Tiber toward Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
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