THE FORMATION OF LA BASILICA DI SAN CLEMENTE IN ROME

 Not surprising the Basilica of San Clemente was a house church!  It was a secret church for the Popes for a long time for sure up until the 4th century when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. giving religious freedom to worship to Christians.  But the structure is layered and complex and outlining the foundation under the Churches - there are two Churches - is an exercise in Prayer and worth the effort.

It all started when the Great Fire of 64 A.D. burned down the Villa at the site built in the Republican era, 509 B.C.E, - 27 B.C.E.  Foundations were left intact.  Two buildings separated by a very narrow Alleyway were built at the site in the 1st century.  A Roman villa 3 stories high and an Imperial Mint factory and warehouse. 

 In the 2nd century the basement of the Roman villa was converted to a Mithraeum Altar and complex which you can visit today.  In the 3rd century the mint warehouse was abandoned and filled in with rubble and above it was built a private house or an Insula with a complex of rooms.  This area would have been the site of the secret church, San Clemente would have lived here as Pope.  By the 4th century this area of Domus or Insula was transformed into the 4th century Church as it exists today.  The 4th century Church is larger than the 12 century Church so the upper stories of the 1st century Roman villa would have been incorporated into it.

By the 11th century the 4th century Church sunk as the ground rose around it so it was filled in with rubble and the upper Church as we know it today was built.  In the middle of the 19th century Prior Father Mulooly discovered the 4th century Church which led to further excavations after Italy united in 1870.  The Basilica had been entrusted to the Irish Dominicans since the 17th century.

When you visit San Clemente in Rome you can see the ancient narrow Alleyway at ground level that separates two structures,  The mint warehouse is intact and The Mithraeum is still there, the Altar behind a locked gate.  You can walk through the lower 4th century Basilica and of course the Upper 12th century Basilica is active with Masses, Rosary prayers, and visitors from around the world who come and sit on the benches and receive Blessings in this beautiful place.





Sandra Panici, the Roman Pilgrim in Person


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