SANTA CECILIA IN TRASTEVERE

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge

The Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere was built in the ninth century on a Roman “domus” (= palace), by Papa Pasquale I, portrayed in the mosaic of the apse, with a model of the church in his hand.

Of this period have survived the splendid mosaics in the apse; the church was enlarged in the twelfth century by Papa Pasquale II, who was responsible for the bell tower and the porch, with the splendid frieze, which runs above the marble columns.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge
Mosaics in the apse	Frieze of the porch	Bell tower

In the thirteenth century Pietro Cavallini painted the extraordinary frescoes representing the Last Judgment, medieval masterpiece.

These frescoes are accessed from the monastery, visits are available every weekday from 10am to 12.30pm.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge
Pietro Cavallini, Last Judgment

Also in the thirteenth century the great Arnolfo di Cambio erected the famous Ciborium.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge
Arnolfo di Cambio, Ciborium

In 1599, after a long period of excavations, within a cypress urn was found the body of St. Cecilia.

It was an extraordinary event, which led cardinal Sfondrato, titular of the church, to entrust the young Stefano Maderno the task of portraying Santa Cecilia in the same position in which she was found.

The following year the statue was ready: 1600 began with this masterpiece.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge
Stefano Maderno, Santa Cecilia

At the dawn of 1700 Ferdinando Fuga was commissioned by Cardinal Acquaviva to design the spectacular façade which looks over Santa Cecilia square.

In 1900, under clumsy eighteenth-century paintings, were rediscovered the frescoes of Pietro Cavallini.
And finally, a few years ago were conducted excavations (open to public) that led to the rediscovery of the ancient Roman Domus.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - click to enlarge
Remains of the ancient Roman Domus

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