Santi Quattro Coronati basilica
in rome
The basilica dates from the fourth century but,
like San Clemente down the road was
burnt down by the Nonnans in 1084.
It
was rebuilt at around half its original size, but
the early basilica form is still discernable
and the columns which once ran along the
aisles are embedded in the walls of the innermost
courtyard.
There
is also a beautiful cloister, dating from about
1220. In the Oratory next to the church is an
entertaining fresco cycle depicting the story of
the Donation of Constantine and painted in the
thirteenth century as a defence of the Popes'
temporal power.
A pox
ridden Constantine is cured by Pope Sylvester
and, in gratitude, crowns him with a tiara and gives
him a capsymbolising the Pope's spiritual and
earthly power.
Finally, just to make sure there was no doubt about
Sylvester's capacity for heroics, he resuscitates a
bull killed as a sacrifice, and frees the Romans
from a dragon.
Back to Churches in
Rome
