Discover Basilica of Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura

The Basilica of Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura was built in 324, at the wish of Costanza, daughter of the Emperor Constantine, above the ruins of a cemetery and of the catacombs which held the remains of the Saint.

It was rebuilt, and then restored many times. It was rebuilt on the commission of Pope Honorius I and afterwards restored several times — and it represents one of the most intact and distinguished examples of an ancient Christian basilica.

The facade carries a future pope’s emblem. It holds a marvellous Renaissance portal, bearing the oak of the future Pope Julius II, and is surmounted by a mullioned window.

And the entrance goes downwards. A wide marble staircase of 1590 descends to the narthex of the church; on its walls are stone fragments and architectural pieces coming from the catacombs.

Inside, fourteen ancient columns divide it. The interior, preceded by the narthex, has three naves separated by fourteen ancient columns with Corinthian capitals.

The mosaic is the climax. In the apse basin is the 7th-century mosaic which portrays, on a gold ground, Saint Agnes as an Eastern empress flanked by the popes Symmachus and Honorius I — one of the highest examples of Byzantine art in Rome.

It does not stand alone. In the same complex is the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, erected at the beginning of the 4th century by Costantina, or Costanza, daughter of the Emperor Constantine, close against the great cemeterial basilica she had had built at the underground cemetery which was the burial place of the martyr Agnes, its entrance preceded by a narthex with two apses at the sides acting as the link with that basilica. Just outside the complex is preserved the cippus dedicated to the victims of the Breccia di Porta Pia.

It is an early Christian basilica that kept its shape. Turismo Roma records that Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura represents one of the most intact and distinguished examples of an ancient Christian basilica.

Its interior is columnar and galleried. The interior, preceded by the narthex, is on three naves separated by fourteen ancient columns with Corinthian capitals.

The facade combines two periods. It holds a marvellous Renaissance portal, decorated with the oak of the future Pope Julius II, and is surmounted by a mullioned window.

The approach is an architectural statement in itself. A wide marble staircase of 1590 descends to the narthex, with stone fragments and architectural pieces from the catacombs on its walls — the building’s own excavated material used as its entrance decoration.

And the complex was designed to join a tomb to a church. The Mausoleum of Santa Costanza stands close against the great cemeterial basilica, its entrance preceded by a narthex with two apses at the sides which act as the link — an example of the integration between mausoleum and basilica in the Constantinian age.

It was built over a grave, by a woman, in a precise year. The basilica was edified in 324, at the wish of Costanza, daughter of the Emperor Constantine, above the ruins of a cemetery and of the catacombs which held the remains of the Saint.

The site dictated the level. Because the church stands over a cemetery, the entrance has to come down to it: the wide marble staircase of 1590 descends to the narthex.

Its second building campaign was a papal commission. It was rebuilt on the commission of Pope Honorius I, who then appears in the 7th-century apse mosaic beside Symmachus and Saint Agnes.

The columns were taken from older buildings. The naves are divided by fourteen ancient columns with Corinthian capitals.

And the catacombs supplied the decoration of the entrance. The staircase walls carry stone fragments and architectural pieces coming from the catacombs.

The adjoining mausoleum was raised at the same moment. Costantina erected it at the beginning of the 4th century, close against the great cemeterial basilica she had had built at the underground cemetery.

What are the opening hours? None are published. Turismo Roma says to consult the official site for access times and visit information.

How much does it cost? No price is published for the complex.

When was it built? In 324, at the wish of Costanza, daughter of the Emperor Constantine, above the ruins of a cemetery and of the catacombs which held the remains of the Saint.

Who rebuilt it? It was rebuilt on the commission of Pope Honorius I, and afterwards restored several times.

What is the apse mosaic? A 7th-century mosaic portraying, on a gold ground, Saint Agnes as an Eastern empress flanked by the popes Symmachus and Honorius I — one of the highest examples of Byzantine art in Rome.

Why do you go down to enter? Because a wide marble staircase of 1590 descends to the narthex of the church, which sits at the level of the cemetery it was built over.

What is on the staircase walls? Stone fragments and architectural pieces coming from the catacombs.

How many columns are there? Fourteen ancient columns with Corinthian capitals, dividing three naves.

What is on the facade? A marvellous Renaissance portal bearing the oak of the future Pope Julius II, surmounted by a mullioned window.

Is the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza here too? Yes — in the same complex, erected at the beginning of the 4th century by Costantina close against the great cemeterial basilica she had built at the underground cemetery.

What is the cippus outside? The cippus dedicated to the victims of the Breccia di Porta Pia.

Where is it? Via Nomentana 349.