Welcome to
Basilica of
San Clemente
A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF ANCIENT ROME
A World of Art, History and Faith
The entrance to the Basilica of San Clemente is located in Piazza San Clemente, a five-minute walk from the Colosseum. The Basilica with its underground archaeological complex is one of the world’s great treasures, a place loved by pilgrims, students of art and visitors from all over the world. Here, as in no other place, one can visit and experience different levels of Rome’s past. Descending below the present church, one enters a 4th century church containing some of the world’s finest medieval frescos, dating from the 8th to the 11th century. Going down lower again, one enters the 1st century area with its Mithraic temple, and across a narrow alleyway, a large public building, around whose foundations flow the lost waters of ancient Rome. Above the excavation stands the present 12th century Basilica, with its magnificent mosaic, early renaissance frescoes, the 6th century marble chancel from the earlier church, the Cosmatesque floor, etc
The Basilica and the Excavations
The Basilica of St. Clement with its archaeological complex is one of the most important treasures in the world: a place loved by pilgrims, art scholars and visitors from all over the world. Here as nowhere else can the different layers of Rome’s history be traversed and understood.
A Place of Prayer
San Clemente is a church which bears witness to the culture and faith of the Christian community from its earliest years to the present day. Here are venerated the two celebrated martyrs, Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. In the 9th century, Saint Cyril, apostle of the Slavic peoples, and one of the patron saints of Europe, was buried in the church. Pilgrims come every day to venerate his relics and visit his tomb in the excavated basilica.
A Virtual Tour
Explore the past centuries of Rome’s history in one extraordinary complex of buildings