San Benedetto in Piscinula, Romanesque church in Trastevere, Rome, Italy

San Benedetto in Piscinula is a Romanesque church in the Trastevere district of Rome, built around a central nave and two side aisles separated by eight ancient columns. The columns carry capitals from different periods, giving the interior a layered, assembled quality that reflects many centuries of use.

The first building was probably an 8th-century chapel; the small bell tower dates to the 11th century, judged by its tiny bell of 1069. The church is cited in the Liber Censuum compiled by Cencio Savelli before he became Pope Honorius III, so the mention predates 1198. It had an annexed convent and served as a parish from 1386 to 1824, was rebuilt in the 19th century and restored in 2007.

The name Piscinula comes from the public baths that once stood here, whose ruins were still visible near the church until the 18th century. Inside, the Cosmatesque floor is the only original one of its kind in the world, unchanged for almost a thousand years, and the 2007 restoration brought back 11th-century frescoes and medieval walls.

The church is found in Trastevere, a short walk from Ponte Cestio and Tiber Island, and fits naturally into a walking tour of the area. The surrounding streets are narrow and uneven, so comfortable footwear makes moving around much easier.

The small bell tower holds a bell cast in 1069, considered the oldest surviving bell in Rome. It still rings today, making it one of the very few medieval objects in the city that continues to serve its original purpose.