Basilica of San Vitale, Rome, Italy

The Basilica of Sts. Vitalis, Valeris, Gervase and Protase is commonly named Basilica di San Vitale. It was built in 400 with funds provided by Vestina, a wealthy dowager, and was consecrated by Pope Innocent I in 401/402. The dedication to St. Vitalis and his family (Saint Valeria, his wife, and Sts. Gervasius and Protasius, their sons) is dated to 412.

San Vitale was restored several times, the most important being the rebuilding by Pope Sixtus IV before the Jubilee of 1475, and then in 1598, 1938 and 1960. The church is currently located several metres under the level of the street (via Nazionale), that it faces.

The portico is the most ancient part of the church, possibly dating back to the 5th century. It was altered at the end of the 16th century. The inscription on the portico, with the arms of Pope Sixtus IV, dates from this time. Pope Pius IX built the staircase to the 5th century portico in 1859.

The church has a single nave, with walls frescoed with scenes of martyrdom, among which a Martyrdom of St Ignatius of Antioch, in which a ruined Colosseum is depicted. The apsis, original of the 5th century, is decorated with a fresco by Andrea Commodi, The Ascent to Calvary.

References:

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Religious sites in Italy

User Reviews

Guillaume Soucy (2 years ago)
It is such a moving experience to enter a basilica that looks like the first Constantinian churches. It is really the early days of the Church that appear within the walls of this basilica. The fact that it is so low in the ground and that we have to go down many stairs to enter really reflects the age of this buidling. It's almost time travel, going back to the first times in Rome when Christianity could be freely and legally practiced.

Lenny Abiuso (3 years ago)
Right on Via Nationale. Built in 400AD. Really cool.

Melli Wika (3 years ago)
Such a beautiful place! I would've never seen it if not those red curtains!

shibin Don (3 years ago)
Divinity in art

Wendy Leung (4 years ago)
Beautiful fresco interior.

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