San Crisogono

Description:

• Trastevere's stunning medieval basilica rises from a church converted from a private residence where Christian cults were observed. You can still visit the original church on the level below. The original group of buildings was erected in the 5th century; the present church dates back to the start of the 12th century and its appearance and proportions remain intact. The floors are decorated with mosaics from ancient buildings and the apse mosaic (13th century) has been attributed to Pietro Cavallini and depicts the Virgin with Child with San Crisogono and San Giacomo. This is definitely not the mosaic originally planned for the apse because its background is not concave but flat. The vestry leads down to the rest of the 7th century basilica and roman buildings whose frescoes have all but disappeared.
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