San Clemente is a small medieval (12th century) church located just south of the Colosseum. Like a layer cake, the main basilica sits atop the preserved remains of an older church from the 4th century, which in turn sit upon architectural remains dating to ancient Rome. Much of the upper church was restored in the 18th century in a classical/Renaissance style, but the layout of the church itself, as well as the apse mosaic, still remains from the Middle Ages.
The facade of the church, redone in a Renaissance style
I love the atriums of medieval churches. They are so peaceful!
The interior. Everything in this view, save the gold apse mosaic, is a later restoration.
The apse mosaic, with the Triumph of the Cross
One of the highlights of the church is a small chapel painted by Masaccio and Masolino in the 1420s. These two important artists were called from Florence because at the time Rome was still recovering from the impact of the Great Schism and had no artists of its own.
Cherub on a tomb
A spiraled column with inlaid gold and precious stones
The exterior on the side
Looking north towards the Colosseum
The facade of the church, redone in a Renaissance style
I love the atriums of medieval churches. They are so peaceful!
The interior. Everything in this view, save the gold apse mosaic, is a later restoration.
The apse mosaic, with the Triumph of the Cross
One of the highlights of the church is a small chapel painted by Masaccio and Masolino in the 1420s. These two important artists were called from Florence because at the time Rome was still recovering from the impact of the Great Schism and had no artists of its own.
Cherub on a tomb
A spiraled column with inlaid gold and precious stones
The exterior on the side
Looking north towards the Colosseum
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