“The eternal city of Rome is filled with churches around every corner, but here are our suggestions to a few of Rome’s lesser known churches.”
Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
📜 Some history:San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) was built during the fifth century to house the relic of Saint Peter’s chains when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. The Basilica San Pietro in Vincoli is well worth visiting not only because of its unique decoration and Michelangelo’s massive statue of Moses, but because it is unlike any other Roman church.
📜 Some history:The Basilica di San Clemente is a minor basilica dedicated to Pope Clement I. This temple is remarkable because archaeologically, it records the history of Rome from the beginning of Christianity up until the Middle Ages. The Basilica is made up of three "layers": the present building founded during the Medieval period, the house of a member of the Roman aristocracy and a fourth century church which is underneath the basilica. San Clemente is a unique attraction, definitely worth visiting. It not only offers a visit to a beautiful temple from the twelfth century, but visitors can also discover a fourth century temple and an old Roman mansion, walking down dark and humid passageways.
📜 Some history: Erected during the fourth century AD, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is one of the four major basilicas of Rome, and the second largest after St. Peter's Basilica. It was founded on the burial ground of St. Paul. Although the Basilica isn’t in the heart of the city, I recommend visiting this unique and astonishing church in order to see its impressive mosaics, atrium and interior. I also recommend to visit the cloister where you will be surrounded by a little oasis of tranquility.
Please note that no shorts or bare shoulders are allowed inside the churches.
“I recommend exploring the hidden churches of Rome together with a local. Rome has 350 catholic churches, let me show you the beauty and divine glow that surrounds these places ’’