Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

206  ROME AREA B Y AREA

Legend has it that Alessio, son corner of the square is
of a rich senator living on the Sant’Anselmo, the international
site, fled to the East to avoid Benedictine church, where
an impending marriage, and Gregorian chant may be heard
became a pilgrim. Returning on Sundays (see p348).
home after many years, he died
as a servant, unrecognized, under
the stairs of the family entrance
hall, clutching the manuscript
of his story for posterity.
The original 5th-century
church has undergone many
changes over time. Noteworthy
are the 18th-century facade
with its five arches, the restored
Luminous interior of Santa Sabina Cosmati doorway and side -
walk, and the magnificent
0 Santa Sabina Romanesque five-story bell
tower (1217).
Piazza Pietro d’Illiria 1. Map 8 E2. An 18th-century Baroque
Tel 06-579 401. @ 23, 280, 716.
q Circo Massimo. Open 8:15am– chapel by Andrea Bergondi
12:30pm & 3:30–6pm daily. 7 houses part of the famous
staircase. Other relics include
High on the Aventine stands the well from Alessio’s family Doorway of the Priory of the Knights of Malta
an early Christian basilica, home and the glowing
founded by Peter of Illyria in Byzantine Madonna of the
AD 425, and restored to its Intercession, brought from e Monte Testaccio
original simplicity in the early Damascus to Rome at the Via Galvani. Map 8 D4. q Piramide.
20th century. Light filters end of the 10th century. @ 23, 83, 719. v 3. Open by appt
through 9th-century windows only; call 06-0608.
upon a wide nave framed by w Piazza dei
white Corinthian columns From about 140 BC to AD 250
supporting an arcade decorated Cavalieri di Malta this hill was created by
with a marble frieze. Over the Map 8 D2. @ 23, 280, 716. dumping millions of testae
main door is a 5th-century blue q Circo Massimo. (hence Testaccio) – pieces of the
and gold mosaic dedicatory amphorae used to carry goods
inscription. The pulpit, carved Surrounded by cypress trees, to nearby warehouses. The full
choir, and bishop’s throne date this ornate walled piazza archaeological significance of
from the 9th century. decorated with obelisks, and this 118 ft- (36 m-) high artificial
The church was given to military trophies was designed hill was not realized until the
the Dominicans in the 13th by Piranesi in 1765. late 18th century.
century and in the nave is the It is named after the
magnificent mosaic tombstone Order of the Knights
of one of the first leaders of of Malta (Cavalieri di
the order, Muñoz de Zamora Malta), whose priory
(died 1300). (at No. 3) is famous
The side portico has 5th- for the bronze
century paneled doors carved keyhole through
from cypress wood, repre- which there is a
senting scenes from the Bible, miniature view of
including one of the earliest St. Peter’s, framed by
Crucifixions in existence. a tree-lined avenue.
The priory church,
q Santi Bonifacio Santa Maria del
e Alessio Priorato, was restored
in Neo-Classical style
Piazza di Sant’Alessio 23. Map 8 D2. by Piranesi in the
Tel 06-574 3446. @ 23, 280, 716. 18th century. To
q Circo Massimo. Open for special visit the church,
events only. 7 ask permission
in person at the
The church is dedicated to two Order’s building
early Christian martyrs, whose at Via Condotti 48.
remains lie under the main altar. At the southwest Facade of Santi Bonifacio e Alessio

US_206-207_EW_Rome_US.indd 206 15/03/17 4:20 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm