Churches of Rome

There are literally hundreds of churches in Rome - below is an index to some of the most notable among them. Links lead to full-length articles with photos, visitor information and detailed maps.

Catacombs The underground Christian cemeteries of Rome provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient Christian history, belief and art.	Domine Quo Vadis Chapel A small chapel on the Appian Way, this marks the spot where St. Peter, fleeing persecution, saw the risen Christ and asked, Domine quo vadis? ("Lord, where are you going?").	Il Gesu This huge, very Baroque church is the headquarters of the Jesuit order. The tomb of St. Ignatius, the order's founder, is topped by the largest piece of lapis lazuli in existence.

Mamertine Prison On the Capitoline Hill above the Forum is this ancient prison where St. Peter and Paul are said to have been held before their execution in Rome.	Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura Dedicated to a young woman martyred in 303 AD, this church was built by Constantine and rebuilt in the 7th century. It has a Byzantine apse mosaic and crowd-free catacombs.	Santa Cecilia in Trastavere This church and active convent was built in the 9th century over the house of St. Cecilia, a 3rd-century martyr. It has a Byzantine apse mosaic upstairs and Roman excavations below.

San Clemente This lovely 12th-century basilica incorporates two previous sacred buildings: a church built in 392, with a frescoed narthex, and a 2nd-century Mithraic temple.	Santi Cosma e Damiano This ancient church in the Imperial Forum contains ruins of a Roman temple and some wonderful Byzantine mosaics in the apse.	Santa Costanza This little round church was built c.360 AD to house the tombs of Constantine's daughter and sister. Its ceilings are covered in some of the earliest Christian mosaics in the world.

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme Too often overlooked, this basilica near St. John Lateran includes the private chapel of St. Helen, Constantine's mother, and houses impressive relics from the Holy Land.	San Giovanni in Fonte Also known as the Lateran Baptistery, this octagonal structure is the oldest baptistery in the world, built by Constantine in 315 AD.	San Giovanni in Laterano Dedicated to both John the Evangelist and John the Baptist, St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome and one of the city's four major basilicas. It includes a lovely 13th-century cloister and an ancient baptistery.

Santi Giovanni e Paolo Built in the 4th century and restored in the 5th and 11th centuries, the Church of Saints John and Paul has Roman ruins that can be explored beneath its floors.	San Lorenzo fuori le Mura This major pilgrimage basilica features a columned portico, 6th-century mosaic, catacombs, and lovely 12th-century cloister. It is dedicated to Lawrence, who was martyred by roasting on a gridiron.	Santa Maria degli Angeli This interesting basilica incorporates the remains of the extensive Baths of Diocletian. Inside are works of medieval and modern art and an astronomical gnomon.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin Best known for the "Mouth of Truth" in the porch, this is one of the most interesting churches in Rome, with important medieval art and an atmosphere of antiquity.	Santa Maria in Domnica Built on the site of a house-church, Santa Maria in Domnica dates from the 9th century and contains a fine apse mosaic from the same period.	Santa Maria Maggiore Built on the site of a miraculous snowfall, this major basilica dates from 420 AD. The huge church is lined with Byzantine mosaics and contains many important relics.

Santa Maria sopra Minerva Said to be Rome's only Gothic church, this 13th-century basilica was built over a temple to Minerva. Inside, it contains many art treasures as well as the venerated tomb of St. Catherine of Siena.	Santa Maria in Trastevere This church is held to be the first place of Christian worship in Rome, built where a fountain of oil sprung up on the day of Christ's birth. Inside are many excellent mosaics.	San Nicola in Carcere Standing alongside a busy road, San Nicola in Carcere is a fascinating little church that incorporates the ruins of a Roman forum and its temples. The crypt can be explored.

San Paolo fuori le Mura This spectacular major basilica shelters the bones of the Apostle Paul. It also boasts beautiful cloisters, a huge collection of artifacts discovered nearby, and a museum.	San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica) For Catholics, St. Peter's is the most sacred site outside of the Holy Land. It centers around the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle and is probably the largest church in the world.	San Pietro in Vincoli A church housing the venerated chains that held St. Peter while he was imprisoned in Rome before being freed by an angel.

Santa Prassede A hidden gem near Santa Maria Maggiore, this 9th-century basilica has glorious Byzantine mosaics. Also here is a piece of the scourging column of Christ and other relics.	Santa Pudenziana This ancient church dedicated to the sister of Santa Prassede is the national church of the Philippines and contains the oldest Christian mosaic in Rome (c.390 AD).	Santi Quattro Coronati Founded in the 4th or 5th century and rebuilt in the 11th, the church of the "Four Crowned Ones" contains interesting fragments of ancient art and architecture.

Santa Sabina Santa Sabina is Rome's best remaining example of an early Christian church. It dates from 422, and its carved wooden doors from that period are still intact.	Santo Stefano Rotondo Dedicated to St. Stephen, the first martyr, this is one of the largest and oldest round churches in existence. Dating from the 5th century, it reflects local and foreign influences.	Sistine Chapel This world-famous chapel painted by Michelangelo is still used for papal elections. Explore a complete photo gallery of its art as part of our article on the Sistine Chapel.