Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere

The basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome; it stands in Trastevere rione.

Related Topics:
Basilica - Church - Rome - Trastevere - Rione

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It was probably built in the early fourth century although, since the church was one of the tituli, the parish churches of Late Antiquity. In those times the basilica was known as Titulus Callisti, since a legend had it founded by Pope Callixtus I, (died 222), whose remains are buried under the altar.

Related Topics:
Fourth century - Late Antiquity - Pope Callixtus I - Altar

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The present nave of this Romanesque church, rebuilt by Pope Innocent II (1138 –1148), preserves its original basilica plan. The 22 granite columns with Ionic capitals separating the nave from the aisles came from the ruins of ancient Roman buildings, as did the lintel of the entrance door. It is believed to be the first church in Rome to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.

Related Topics:
Nave - Romanesque - Pope Innocent II - Ionic capitals - Blessed Virgin

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Inside the church are a number of late 13th-century mosaics by Pietro Cavallini on the subject of the Life of the Virgin (1291), as well as Domenichino's ceiling painting, Assumption of the Virgin (1617) in the ceiling setting he designed. The facade of the church was restored by Carlo Fontana in 1702, who replaced the ancient porch with its sloping tiled roof seen in Falda's view (upper right) with the present classicizing one (below right). The octagonal fountain in the piazza in front of the church (Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere) was also restored by Carlo Fontana.

Related Topics:
Pietro Cavallini - Domenichino - Carlo Fontana - 1702

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The church keeps a relic of Saint Apollonia, her head, as well as a portion of the Holy Sponge. Among those buried in the church, are the relics of Pope Callixtus I and the body of Lorenzo Cardinal Campeggio.

Related Topics:
Saint Apollonia - Holy Sponge - Pope Callixtus I - Lorenzo Cardinal Campeggio

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Józef Glemp is the Cardinal Priest of the Title of S. Mariae trans Tiberim.

Related Topics:
Józef Glemp - Cardinal Priest

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