Tag Archives: Roman Emperor

April 11, 2013 · 11:18 am

Saint Paul Outside the Walls: a UNESCO Basilica in Rome

San Paolo Fuori le Mura was erected in the 4^th century. It is one of the four patriarchal basilicas of Rome built at the request of Roman Emperor Constantine I over the burial place of Paul the Apostle.

Front of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls – Roma – Italy. Italiano: Facciata della Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura a Roma. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Saint Paul Outside the Walls is sometimes called the “Basilica Ostiense” because it is located on the Ostian Way. Paul the Apostle was brought to Rome as a prisioner. He was martyred between the years 64 and 67, during the persecution of Emperor Nero. His body was claimed by a Roman woman who buried it in her family tomb near a vineyard on the road to Ostia. Emperor Constantine placed the Apostle’s body in a bronze sarcophagus with a marble slab over it. At the request of Emperor Constantine in 324, a basilica was built over St. Paul’s tomb.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) – interior Polski: Wnętrze bazyliki św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura (Roma) – interno (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This first edifice was expanded under Valentinian I in about 370. Since many pilgrims came to visit the site, Emperor Valentine II made plans for a larger building. Emperor Theodosius began the new building and Emperor Honorius completed it.

English: Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) – the tabernacle of the confession Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura (Roma) – ciborio di Arnolfo di Cambio Polski: Bazylika św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie – grób św. Pawła, przykryty gotyckim baldachimem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rom, Sankt Paul vor den Mauern, San Paolo fuori le mura Italiano: Statua di San Paolo di fronte alla facciata della Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura a Roma. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pope Leo III, further embellished the building and it became the largest and most beautiful church in Rome under his papacy. Of all the churches of Rome, this one preserved its primitive character for 1435 years. In 1823 it was almost completely destroyed by a fire.

St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

In 1823, it was rebuilt and enlarged by the architect Poletti and modified by Guglielmo Calderini. It was completed in 1854.

Roma – Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura – resti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Portrait of Pope Honorius I in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome Italiano: Ritratto di Papa Onorio I nella Basilica di San Paolo fuori la Mura, Roma (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Necropolis of Saint Paul outside the Walls in Rome

The interior of the current basilica has 80 monolithic columns of Montorfano granite divided into five naves. On the upper part of the walls, frescoes illustrate scenes from the life of St Paul. Against the internal wall of the facade there are six large alabaster columns presented by the Viceroy of Egypt to Gregory XVI.

St. Paul Outside the Walls Frescoes in Rome

Saint Paul Outside the Walls is located at the site where Paul was executed and buried.

Tomb of Saint Paul in Rome

It is located outside the Aurelian Walls. The the basilica was damaged during the Saracen invasions in the 9th century. Pope John VIII (872–882) fortified the basilica and the monastery forming the town of Joannispolis (Giovannipoli) which existed until 1348, when an earthquake totally destroyed the town.

Fortified Walls in Rome

Map of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Interior of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

The Basilica was founded where his followers erected a memorial, called a cella memoriae. In the chapel of the relics, lie the chains that bound Paul the Apostle when he was improsioned in Rome. In the 5th century, this church was larger than the Old St. Peter’s Basilica.

The front of the basilica has ten monolithic columns of red Baveno granite. A huge statue of St. Paul dominates the entrance to the new building. The inscription on the base of the statue says “To the preacher of truth, the teacher of nations”.

Facade of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The facade mosaic is the work of Filippo Agricola and Nicola Consoni. In the typanum, Christ is seated in the center giving his blessing. On his right side is Saint Peter and on his left side is St. Paul. Below the Lamb of God, the four rivers of Paradise flow. Twelve sheep represent the Apostles who approach the Lamb from the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Here’s a Virtual Tour of the entrance and central courtyard: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Courtyard/index.html

Facade Mosaic

It was rebuilt by the architect Poletti and reconsecrated 1855 with the presence of Pope Pius IX and fifty cardinals. Many countries made contributions to the reconstruction efforts: the Viceroy of Egypt sent pillars of alabaster, the Emperor of Russia sent precious malachite and lapis lazuli for the tabernacle.

Saint Paul

In the right corner there is a statue of St. Luke the Evangelist. Saint Paul is in the front of the basilica.

Saint Luke

Under the portico, the wall niches have statues of St. Peter and St. Paul by Gregorio Zappala.

Popes Leo XII, Pius VIII and Gregory XVI, personally oversaw the reconstruction of the church. In 1854 Pope Pius IX was able to celebrate the completion of the reconstruction.

Under Pope Gregory the Great (590–604), the basilica was extensively modified. He had the pavement was raised to place the altar directly over Paul’s tomb. The tomb is covered by a Gothic baldachino by Adolfo di Cambio completed in 1285.

Tomb of St. Paul

Here’s a virtual tour of St. Paul’s Tomb http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Tomb/index.html. To make a portion of the tomb visible to religious pilgrims, the floor was lowered forming a confessio where people can pray. Directly below the altar, a grill-covered window reveals the stone sarcophagus. Carbon dating of the contents of the tomb indicated that the remains in the sarcophagus are from someone who lived in the first or second century indicating that they are the remains of the apostle.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) – the tabernacle of the confession Italiano: Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura (Roma) – ciborio di Arnolfo di Cambio Polski: Bazylika św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie – grób św. Pawła, przykryty gotyckim baldachimem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over Saint Paul’s tomb, Arnolfo di Cambio‘s Gothic tabernacle is resting on four porphyry columns. The four cornices above the niches of the baldachin have statues of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Timothy and Saint Bartholomew. Excavations located a first century tomb with a marble slab covering it with the Latin inscription “Paulo Apostolo Mart”. You can see a plaster copy of the slab in the Church Museum located off of the cloister.

St. Paul’s Tabernacle

Arnolfo di cambio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

St. Peter statue by Arnolfo di Cambio inside the Vatican Basilica, dressed with a vestment on St. Peter and Paul feast. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Arnolfo di Cambio also created the bronze Saint Peter statue in St. Peter’s Basillica and the ptesepe in the lower level of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Italiano: Presepe di Arnolfo di Cambio. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma, Italia . English: Manger by Arnolfo di Cambio, Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore, Italy . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

San Paolo Fuori le Mura’s interior has 80 monolithic columns of Montorfano granite from the isolated mountain on Lake Maggiore. It is divided into five naves. Above the arches over the granite columns, all the way around the interior of the Basilica, there are circular mosaic portraits of all the Popes, from the first to the present. Only the current pope’s portrait is illuminated. According to legend, when this Basilica runs out of space for these portraits of the popes, the world will end.

Statue of St. Paul Apostle in the Basilica San Paolo fuori le Mura (Rome) Polski: Figura św. Pawła Apostoła w bazylice Świętego Pawła za Murami w Rzymie Italiano: Statua di San Paolo Apostolo nella Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura a Roma (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On the upper part of the walls, between the large windows, there are 36 frescoes with the scenes from the life of St Paul. Against the internal wall of the facade there are six large alabaster columns presented by the Viceroy of Egypt to Gregory XVI.

Roma – Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura – 9 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s a virtual tour of the central nave of the basilica http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Nave/index.html

In the Apse, there is a mosaic from 1220 showing a majestic Christ wearing imperial colors with St. Paul and St. Luke on his right and St. Peter and St. Andrew on his left. Chirst is holding a book that says “Come blessed of my Father and receive the kingdom prepared for you.”

Apse Mosaic

The palm trees represent paradise. The papal chair has a relief of Christ instucting Peter to feed the sheep.

Jesus

Saint Peter and Saint Andrew

St. Paul and St. Luke in Rome

Here’s a virtual tour of the Apse http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Apse/index.html

Portrait of Honorius III – Detail of the apse mosaic of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (1220) – Roma – Italy Pope Honorius III ordered the mosaic and, following the Roman Catholic tradition, is represented near Christ’s feet. Pope Honorius III (1148 – 1227), born Cencio Savelli, was Pope from 1216 to 1227. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Honorius_III (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You can see Hononius III at the foot of Jesus is the apse mosaic.

The graceful cloister of the monastery was erected between 1220 and 1241. The spiral columns of the cloister were built by the Vassalletto family in 1214 and survived the fire.

Cloister of the monastery of San Paolo fuori le mura (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s a virtual tour of the lovely rose garden in the Cloister: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Cloister/index.html

The death of St. Paul – relief on the doors of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) Italiano: La morte do san Paolo – rilievo sulla porta della Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura a Roma Polski: Śmierć św. Pawła – płaskorzeźba znajdująca się na drzwiach Bazyliki św. Pawła za Murami w Rzymie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From 1215 until 1964 this was the seat of the Latin Patriarch of Alexandria. The Holy Door was last opened in 2000 and there is a large plaque above the door commemorating the event.

The Holy Door (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The door pictured below on the right, is the work of Antonia Maraini and was cast in Florence in 1931. The cross on the bronze door is highlighted in silver and the horizontal bar bears the names of the evangelists. The verticle potion of the cross, has portraits of the Apolstles. The panels on the door depict scenes from the life of Saint Peter on the left and Saint Paul on the right. The figure of Christ shows him giving the keys to Saint Peter.

Holy Door

Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Silver

Visit the Pinocoteca with “Flagellation” by Bramante and other interesting works of art and tour the interesting Museum http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Paul_Museum/index.html.

See some of the fragments of the original basilica. Then stop at the where you can enjoy a Vino con Vista.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides. To learn more about Rome visit www.vino-con-vista.com

Pope Francis stops for prayer at Rome basilica

Insights into the Vatican in Italy: UNESCO’s Holy City (vinoconvistablog.me)
Visit Magnificent Churches on Rome’s Esquiline Hill (vinoconvistablog.me)
The Ancient Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano in Rome Italy (vinoconvistablog.me)
The Beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome Italy (vinoconvistablog.me)

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Tagged as Ancient, Aurelian Wall, Aurelian Walls, Basilica, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Christian, Churches in Rome, Churches of Rome, Cistercians, Constantine the Great, Emperor Constantine, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, History, Italy, Nero, Paul the Apostle, People, Pope Simplicius, Roman Emperor, Rome, Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Saint Peter, San Paolo fuori le Mura, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Vatican CIty

May 10, 2012 · 11:06 am

Insights into the Vatican in Italy: UNESCO’s Holy City

: Image via Wikipedia

The Vatican City is the world’s smallest country and occupies 109 acres. It has been a sovereign state since 1929 and is ruled by the Pope.

Magnificent works of art are housed in the Holy City. Rome’s grand churches were built in the following order: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical. Most of the exquisite Baroque monuments and buildings were erected during the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Many ancient churches have received newer facades.

Sack_of_Rome_by_the_Visigoths_on_24_August_410_by_JN_Sylvestre_1890. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On May 6, 1527, the Sack of Rome was perpetrated by German Lutheran and Spanish Catholic troops who resented the wealth of the papacy. The soliers entered the Vatican as Pope Clement VII was saying a mass in the Sistine Chapel. Swiss Guards were being slaughtered in St. Peter’s Square and the pope was brought to safety in Castel Sant’Angelo.

Sack of Rome of 1527 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

St. Peter’s Basilica, believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, seen from the River Tiber. The iconic dome dominates the skyline of Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica from the River Tiber. The iconic dome dominates the skyline of Rome. Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Christianity became the dominant religion of Western Civilization when the Roman Empire converted to Christianity. St. Peter’s Basilica, believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, seen from the River Tiber. Saint Peter’s Basilica. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Roman Emperor Constantine (306-337 AD) joined the Christians and before he moved to Constantinople he built several churches in Rome. San Giovanni in Laterano, St. Peter’s Basilica and San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura were all built during Constantine’s reign. Talent and leadership abandoned the newly divided empire and successive waves of Barbarians invaded Rome including the Visigoths, Vandals and the Ostrogoths. By 800 AD, Emperor Charlemagne asserted papal authority and launched another power struggle between the Church and imperial authority. By 1309, the pope moved to the safety of Avignon.

Tomb of pope Julius II by Michelangelo, church San Pietro in Vincoli; Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rome’s imperial legacy lived on in the Catholic Church where Roman senators became bishops, scholars became monks, and philosophers became theologians. The pope or high priest adopted the title originally held by the emperor; “Pontifex Maximus.” Look for this word in the Latin inscriptions in Rome. The grandeur of church rituals is reminiscent of the glory days of Julius Caesar.

The papacy’s supremacy returned to Rome in 1377. In the 1500’s, a glorious rebirth of Rome flourished when the popes invited the most talented architects, painters and sculptors to rebuild Rome’s grandeur during the Renaissance. On April 18, 1506 Pope Julius II (Giuliano Della Rovere) laid the cornerstone for the new Basilica of Saint Peter. Saint Peter’s magnificent basilica was built above the site where Peter the Apostlewas crucified, martyred and buried in the year 64.

Ancient statue of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Possibly the work of Atnolfo di Cambio. Thought by some historians to be much older. Crop of original pic (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter by Pietro Perugino (1481-82) Fresco, 335 x 550 cm Cappella Sistina, Vatican. Ελληνικά: Λεπτομέρεια από την νωπογραφία του Πιέτρο Περουτζίνο, Ο Χριστός Παραδίδει τα Κλειδιά στον Πέτρο, 335 x 600 cm, Καπέλα Σιξτίνα, Πόλη του Βατικανού. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 1506, Bramante was commissioned by Pope Julius II to renovate St. Peter’s Basilica, originally built by Constantine from 324-329. Emperor Constantine built a glorious crown for St. Peter’s tomb over the site where his bones were preserved. St. Peter was the first apostle and the first pope. Since Rome is a place of pilgrimage, a “Scave Tour” is available with advanced reservations and allows you to visit the tomb of St. Peter and the archeological excavations beneath the basilica. Travel from the Baroque church to the Romanesque sanctuary to the Roman cemetery and tomb of Peter the Apostle. The crypt is located under the Papal Altar.

To learn more about Italy, visit www.vino-con-vista.com and

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Vatican Welcomes 26 Swiss Guards Into Oldest Army (abcnews.go.com)
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May 6 in history (homepaddock.wordpress.com)

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Tagged as Roman History, Roman Emperor, Rome, Italy, vino con vista, Italy Travel Guides, Catholic Church, St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, Pope, Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint Peter, Vatican, unesco, Pontifex Maximus, Baroque, Emperor Constantine, Sistine Chapel, Vatican CIty, Rome Travel Guide, San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura, Barbarians, Gothic, Neo-Classical, Churches in Rome, Sack of Rome, Constantine, Vatican in Italy: UNESCO's Holy City, Pope Clement VII, Constantinople

March 3, 2012 · 12:40 pm

Roman Emperor History Tips

: Image via Wikipedia

When you’re in Rome having a Vino con Vista at one of rooftop bars, flaunt your knowledge of Roman history.

Here’s a tip for remembering the names of the first five Roman Emperors after Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. Remember the phrase “Another Tom cat caught napping”. The emperors are Augustus (27 B.C.–AD 14), Tiberius (14-37), Caligula (37-41), Claudius (41-54) and Nero (54-68).

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek – Emperor Caligula (Photo credit: Michiel2005)

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From the statue in Rome. The Emperor Nero.

Image via Wikipedia

Emperor Nero blamed the burning of Rome on Christian terrorists. In 64, most of Rome was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome, which many Romans believed Nero himself had started in order to clear land for his planned palatial complex, the Domus Aurea. Nero ordered the execution of the apostles Peter and Paul during his reign.

Image via Wikipedia

Eventually, with a succession of 25 emperors in 75 years, the Emperor Constantine (306-337 AD) joined the Christians and before he moved to Constantinople he built several churches in Rome.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

San Giovanni in Laterano, St. Peter’s Basilica and San Lorenzo fuori le Mura were all built during Constantine’s reign. Talent and leadership abandoned the newly divided empire and successive waves of Barbarians invaded Rome including the Visigoths, Vandals and the Ostrogoths.

Image via Wikipedia

By 800 AD, Emperor Charlemagne asserted papal authority and launched another power struggle between the Church and imperial authority. By 1309, the pope moved to the safety of Avignon. The papacy’s supremacy returned to Rome in 1377. In the 1500’s, a glorious rebirth of Rome flourished when the popes invited the most talented architects, painters and sculptors to rebuild Rome’s grandeur during the Renaissance.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides and

Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites

Spend a Glorious Vino Con Vista Weekend in Rome: Non Basta una Vita (vinoconvistablog.me)
Who built Rome’s Historic Pantheon? (vinoconvistablog.me)
Silent Night Holy Night: A Vatican Christmas (vinoconvistablog.me)
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Rome’s Seven Hills (vinoconvistablog.me)
Watch the Water Flow in the Spectacular Fountains of Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

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Tagged as Ancient Rome, Caligula, Churches in Rome, Emperor Cladius, Emperor Nero, History, italy travel, Italy Travel Guide, Julius Caesar, Paul the Apostle, Peter the Apostle, Roman Emperor, Roman Empire, Roman History, Rome, Rome Travel Guides, San Giovanni in Larerano, St. Peter's Basilica, Tiberius, Travel and Tourism, unesco, vino con vista, World Heritage Site

June 21, 2011 · 12:07 pm

The Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Climb 124 steps to the top of Capitoline Hill and you will find the austere facade of Santa Maria in Aracoeli that was originally called Santa Maria in Capitolio until the 13th century. The stairway was designed in the 14th century by Simone Andreozzi.

Image via Wikipedia

Interior of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Image via Wikipedia

If you are not up for climbing the stairs, there is a side entrance to the right of the stairs past the Museo Capitolino in the church’s Romanesque bell tower. The lovely lunette above the door has a 13th century mosaic of the Virgin and Child by Cosmati. In the Middle Ages, condemned criminals were executed at the foot of the steps.

Interior of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Entrance to Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

According to legend, during the middle ages Emperor Augustus was visited by the Tiburtine Sibyl at the Temple of Juno Moneta. The Sibyl’s prophecy was: “Haec est ara primogeniti Dei” which means this is the altar of the first-born of God. The Emperor proceeded to erect an altar on this site to the deity. The relics of Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine are housed in this church under a cupola supported by eight columns in a porphyry urn.

English: ceiling of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome.

Image via Wikipedia

This ancient church was built on the site of the Temple to Juno. It is from the 6th century and is located at the top of the famed Aracoeli Staircase by Michelangelo at the Capitoline. The 22 columns that support the church are from ancient buildings of the area. An inscription on the third column to the left explains that it comes from a cubiculo Augustorum (from the bedroom of the emperors).

The Commemoration of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 adorns the ceiling and was built during the reign of Pope Gregory III Boncompagni whose family crest (the dragon) is located toward the end of the altar.

To the right of the entrance door is a tombstone by Donatello memorializing archdeacon Giovanni Crivelli. The Pinturicchio frescoes in the first chapel on the right, depict the life and death of St. Bernardino of Siena and on the left wall is The Burial of the Saint.

Chapel of Saint Helena in Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Visible beneath the urn of St. Helen you can see the altar “Ara Coeli” that legend claims Emperor Augustus had constructed on this site.

Emperor Augustus Altar of Ara Coeli in Rome Italy

Years later, a church was built over the imperial altar which became known as Ara Coeli which means the altar of heaven. Visit the Chapel of St. Bernadine of Siena with Pinturicchio’s fabulous frescoes from 1485. The fresco on the back wall is “St. Bernadine in Glory” where he is standing in the center with St. Louis of Toulouse on the left and St. Anthony of Padua on the right. The savior is in a mandorla above surrounded by angels.

Chapel of St. Bernadine in Rome Italy

Mandorla above the Chapel of St. Bernadine in Glory in Rome Italy

One of the most famous things about Santa Maria in Aracoeli is the Santo Bambino, an olive-wood figure of the Christ Child dating from the 15th century. This statue was carved by a Franciscan monk out of a tree from the Garden of Gethsemane.

The figure’s miraculous powers are supposed to include resurrecting the dead and it is sometimes carried to the bedside of the gravely ill. If the statue can help the person, its lips turn purple; if not, then they turn pale. During the holidays, the statue is moved to the crèche (second chapel on the left), but is usually located in the Sacristy.

The wooden statue of the infant Jesus in the 19th century Santo Bambino Chapel by the sacristy is filled with letters. Many people write letters to the Bambino requesting blessings for loved ones. The statue is brought out on Christmas Eve on a throne in front of the high altar.

Chapel of Santa Bambino in Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Santo Bambino in Santa Maria Aracoeli Church in Rome

The main altar has two statues flanking the image of the Virgin: Saint Bernadine of Siena on the left and Saint John Capistrano on the right. The outside arch has a sibyl in the left spandrel and Emperor Augustus whith the prophetic words “Haec est ara coeli”, (This is the altar of God).