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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.

To the Italian visitors of my web site

S. Agnese fuori delle Mura (Book 6) (Day 2)

In this page:
 The plate by Giuseppe Vasi
 Today's view
 S. Agnese
 S. Costanza
 Basilica Costantiniana

The Plate (No. 103)

S. Agnese fuori le Mura

S. Agnese, off Porta Pia, is said to have been founded by Constantine, but more recent studies set its foundation in the VIIth century, while a high circular wall in the gardens of S. Agnese is what is left of the Basilica erected at the time of Constantine. The plate shows also S. Costanza, originally a monument built by Constantine for his daughter Costanza. In the description below the plate Vasi made reference to: 1) Old Temple now S. Costanza; 2) Monastero di S. Agnese; 3) Curate's house; 4) Via Nomentana; 5) Ancient walls.

Small View

Today

The view today

The area around S. Agnese is today heavily built and it is no longer possible to have a view over both S. Agnese and S. Costanza.

S. Agnese

S. Agnese fuori delle Mura

The usual entrance to the church is not from the façade but from a staircase the walls of which are covered with inscriptions and mosaics (see background) from the catacombs.

Coats of arms

Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere (who became Pope Julius II) in 1479 widely restored the old basilica which was almost ruined. His coat of arms can be seen at the entrance of the staircase leading to the church and on the bell tower. Pope Paulus V built the altar under which is the tomb of Agnese and left a fine baroque coat of arms. In the staircase there is a painted coat of arms of Pope Innocentius XIII. A bust of Jesus by Nicolas Cordier in the first chapel was for a long time attributed to Michelangelo; behind it the picture shows a relief by Andrea Bregno.

S. Costanza

S. Costanza

S. Costanza is today a much sought after wedding place. The elegant circular interior has vaults with late Roman mosaics, which although meant for a Christian building retain a pagan joy of life.

Interior

Basilica Costantiniana

Basilica


The basilica built by Constantine had an unusual elliptical shape and its western side, because of the sloping ground, was supported by thick and impressive walls (the only ones left). It was abandoned in the VIIth century in favour of the current church.

Excerpts from Giuseppe Vasi 1761 Itinerary related to this page:


Chiesa di S. Agnese fuori le Mura
Si crede esser ancor questa edificata da Costantino Magno ad insinuazione di Costanza sua sorella o figlia, che gli sia stata. Per la lunghezza de' secoli ebbe bisogno questa chiesa di vari ristauramenti; e rimane in oggi quasi sotto terra, e rivoltata dalla parte opposta alla moderna strada; perciò dalla porta laterale si scendono 36. gradini, né quali si vedono molte memorie antiche e sagre. La chiesa ha due ordini di colonne uno sopra l'altro, ed Onorio I. che fu del 630. fecevi il mosaico nella tribuna, ed il ciborio di ottone dorato, che poi da Paolo V. fu rifatto di marmo con 4. colonne di porfido, rinnovando ancora il prezioso altare, in cui giace il corpo della s. Verginella, e fece la statua di alabastro e di metallo dorato per opera di Niccolò Cordiera. Sono ammirabili alcune colonne della nave per essere striate e di marmo assai raro: ma molto più ammirabile è l'urna di porfido, in cui per molto tempo stette quel sagro pegno, che ora si vede nel vicino tempio rotondo convertito in
Chiesa di S. Costanza
Per le immagini di putti baccanti con grappoli di uva scolpiti sulla maravigliosa urna di porfido , che ivi si vede , si disse erroneamente sepolcro di Bacco , e tempio di Bacco , perchè ancora nella volta di questo vi fono de' putti baccanti similmente con uve, e strumenti da raccogliere 1' uva lavorati di rozzo mosaico. E' questo di figura sferica con cupola in mezzo sostenuta da ventiquattro colonne di granito , e si crede , che sia stato eretto per edifizio sepolcrale , o pure per battistero, come altrove dicemmo. Tanto questo , quanto la chiesa di S. Agnese stanno in cura de' Canonici Regolari di s. Salvatore . Nel basso della valle si vedono delle rovine , credute dell' ippodromo di Costantino, e dopo un miglio il ponte Mammolo .

Next plate in Book 6: S. Maria a Trevi
Next step in Day 2 itinerary: Palazzo Barberini