San Tommaso ai Cenci, Catholic church in Regola district, Rome, Italy.
San Tommaso ai Cenci is a church in Rome's Regola neighborhood, built into the structure of the Cenci Palace near the Tiber River. Inside, a simple rectangular layout leads to the main altar, which features a remarkable turquoise stone imported from ancient times.
The site was once known as De Capite Molarum for its medieval location near functioning mills that ground grain. During the 15th century, the building was absorbed into the Cenci Palace complex as the city expanded and the area transformed.
This sanctuary serves as a quiet prayer space woven into the neighborhood's rhythm, where locals and visitors find a moment of stillness away from the bustling Tiber embankment. The intimate setting reflects how Roman churches often nestle within family estates, blending sacred and domestic life together.
The church can be reached through a side entrance that connects to Piazza delle Cinque Scole, a small route that is easy to miss if you do not know where to look. Prayer services happen regularly, though certain religious ceremonies like baptisms take place at another church nearby.
The turquoise stone at the main altar originates from ancient times and has been preserved through centuries, making it a truly rare artifact within a neighborhood church. Such imported materials were typically reserved for the most significant religious or aristocratic spaces in Rome.
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