Day 5- Rome- San Clemente, the Coloseum, & the Forum
Hi everyone!
Today was filled with more incredible sights! We began our day by taking a bus to the Basilica of San Clemente, an ancient Romanesque church down from the Coliseum. The main nave of the church was built in the 12th century, but the marble choir seating area (schola cantorum) and the baldacchino (canopy over the altar) date from an earlier structure. Our tour guide was an Irish Dominican priest, the rector of the Dominican religious community who have cared for the church since 1667!
The church is famous for containing the remains/relics of St. Clement, the third pope after St. Peter, as well as a relic of St. Cyril, who discovered Clement's relics. Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and drowned in the sea near shore. Years later, at low tide, Cyril discovered his remains and helped return them to Rome.
Further, the church contains amazing gold biblical mosaics! Unfortunately, we couldn't take many pictures, but attending Holy Mass here at this ancient Christian site was a powerful experience for me and the other seminarians!
The amazing thing is that the current 12th century church is built upon the original 4th century church, and below that is an ancient pagan temple. Going further down, one can explore a 2nd century house, that is also built upon a first century street and buildings which experts believe to have contained the Imperial Roman Mint. The lower levels were at one time flooded by a fast moving spring of water, that has since been pumped and diverted down under the Coliseum and beyond!
Our tour group were able to descend down 14 meters below the floor of the current basilica, (approximately 45 feet!) to see the different excavated areas! It is amazing that this wealth of history, with its frescos and marble inscriptions were lost to time until the late 1800's when a priest accidently discovered that there were hollows underneath the church!
It is definitely thought provoking to think that the first Christians would've have met here in secret to worship so close to the Coliseum, where the roar of the crowd cheering the deaths of the believers in Jesus could've have been heard. What courage!
Until next time, God love you!
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Today was filled with more incredible sights! We began our day by taking a bus to the Basilica of San Clemente, an ancient Romanesque church down from the Coliseum. The main nave of the church was built in the 12th century, but the marble choir seating area (schola cantorum) and the baldacchino (canopy over the altar) date from an earlier structure. Our tour guide was an Irish Dominican priest, the rector of the Dominican religious community who have cared for the church since 1667!
The church is famous for containing the remains/relics of St. Clement, the third pope after St. Peter, as well as a relic of St. Cyril, who discovered Clement's relics. Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and drowned in the sea near shore. Years later, at low tide, Cyril discovered his remains and helped return them to Rome.
Further, the church contains amazing gold biblical mosaics! Unfortunately, we couldn't take many pictures, but attending Holy Mass here at this ancient Christian site was a powerful experience for me and the other seminarians!
The amazing thing is that the current 12th century church is built upon the original 4th century church, and below that is an ancient pagan temple. Going further down, one can explore a 2nd century house, that is also built upon a first century street and buildings which experts believe to have contained the Imperial Roman Mint. The lower levels were at one time flooded by a fast moving spring of water, that has since been pumped and diverted down under the Coliseum and beyond!
Our tour group were able to descend down 14 meters below the floor of the current basilica, (approximately 45 feet!) to see the different excavated areas! It is amazing that this wealth of history, with its frescos and marble inscriptions were lost to time until the late 1800's when a priest accidently discovered that there were hollows underneath the church!
It is definitely thought provoking to think that the first Christians would've have met here in secret to worship so close to the Coliseum, where the roar of the crowd cheering the deaths of the believers in Jesus could've have been heard. What courage!
Until next time, God love you!
The entrance to San Clemente
Christ the Lamb of God mosaic
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The 4th century church, which is now the first level below the main floor
an ancient pagan temple
another side isle underground
a fresco of St. Clement celebrating Mass that was discovered buried below
deep down, the 1st and 2nd century houses
leaving for the walk back
approaching the Coliseum
Gladiator barracks
Can't believe I'm actually here! :)
Thunder & lightning approaching
The Roman Forum & Senate Building
Trajan's Column
The Victor Emmanuel Monument & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The locals refer to this massive white marble structure as "The Wedding Cake!" I can see it from my dorm window.
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