Santi Simone e Giuda, Former Catholic church in central Rome, Italy
Santi Simone e Giuda is a deconsecrated church located on Monte Giordano, an artificial hill created from marble debris left over from Roman quarrying near the Tiber River. The structure displays an 18th-century door frame and preserves original architectural details that remain visible on its exterior.
The structure was consecrated by Pope Paschal II in 1118 as Santa Maria de Monticellis and received a second consecration from Pope Innocent II in 1143. Prince Filippo Orsini sold the building at auction in 1902 following its deconsecration.
The building changed its purpose in 1905 when it became a cinema called Alcazar, and later served as a restaurant and theater before closing in 2006. This transformation reflects how religious spaces in Rome have adapted to different community needs over time.
You can view the exterior architecture and 18th-century door frame by climbing the stairs from Via di San Simone toward the hilltop location. The site is easily spotted from the street below and requires a short uphill walk to observe it properly.
The church's tombstones were relocated to the portico of San Silvestro in Capite after its deconsecration in 1902. This careful handling of the remains shows how the community preserved connections to its past.
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