Page 441 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

ROME : A VENTINE AND LA TER AN  439

6 San Clemente VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

In 1857 Father Mullooly, the Irish Dominican prior of Practical Information
San Clemente, began excavations beneath the existing Via di Labicana 95. Map 7 B1.
12th-century basilica. Directly underneath he and his Tel 06 774 00 21. Open
9am–12:30pm, 3–6pm Mon–Sat
successors discovered a 4th-century church, and below (from noon Sun & public hols).
that a number of ancient Roman buildings. Both basilicas Last adm: 20 mins before closing.
are dedicated to St Clement, the fourth pope. On the & to excavations. 5 ^ =
lowest level is a temple devoted to the cult of Mithras, Transport
a mystical all-male religion imported from Persia which @ 85, 87, 117, 186, 810.
q Colosseo. v 3.
rivalled Christianity for popularity.
Cappella di Santa Caterina
Restored frescoes by the
15th-century artist Masolino
da Panicale show scenes from
the life of St Catherine
of Alexandria.
Entrance
Apse Mosaic
The 12th-century Triumph
of the Cross includes
finely detailed animals
and acanthus leaves.
Paschal Candlestick
This splendid 12th-
century spiralling
candlestick, striped
12th-century with glittering
basilica multi-
coloured
mosaic, is
the work of
the Cosmati.
18th-century
façade
Schola
Piscina Cantorum

4th-century basilica

Temple of
Mithras
Life of San Clemente Triclinium
Faded frescoed episodes from An altar to the god
the life of the fourth pope Mithras, showing him
decorate the lower church. slaying a bull, stands in the
This one tells the story of a dank triclinium, a room used
boy found alive in his tomb for ritual banquets by
under the sea. cult members.

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