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The Basilica of Saint Clement (Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Pope Clement I.
It is a three-tiered complex of buildings:
- The current Basilica was constructed just before 1100, during the height of the Middle Ages.
- Beneath the present Basilica is a 4th-century basilica that had been converted out of the home of a Roman aristocrat, part of which had within the 1st Century briefly served as an early church, and the basement of which had within the 2nd Century briefly served as a Mithraeum.
- The home of the Roman aristocrat had been built on the foundations of a republican-era villa and warehouse that had been destroyed in the Great Fire of 64 A.D.
Things to Know before Visit the Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano
Who was St. Clement of Rome?
How did Clement of Rome die?
Who is buried in San Clemente Church, Rome?
Is Clement of Rome mentioned in the Bible?
What did Clement of Rome write?
What is the prayer of St. Clement?
Did Clement of Rome know Paul?
Where was Clement of Rome born?
What was Pope Clement known for?
Why was St. Clement banished from Rome?
What is St. Clement, the patron saint of?
Why did Pope Clement I choose this name?
Is it possible to take photographs in the Basilica of St. Clement?
History
This old church was changed over the centuries from a private home that was the location of clandestine Christian worship within the 1st Century to a grand open basilica by the 6th Century, reflecting the emerging Catholic Church’s developing legitimacy and power. The archeological follows of the Basilica’s history were found in the 1860s by Joseph Mullooly, Prior of the house of Irish Dominicans at San Clemente (1847-1880).
The Basilica of San Clemente is arranged some three hundred yards above the Colosseum, on a street that rises gradually to St John Lateran from the valley between the Caelian Hill on the south and the Oppian Hill on the north. It is named after Pope St Clement, the third successor of St Peter in the See of Rome, who died about 100 A.D. Until a hundred years back, without a doubt, it was commonly thought that the present church was that to which St Jerome re¬ferred when he wrote about 390 that « a church in Rome preserves the memory of St Clement to this day.»
Before the 4th Century
Nowadays, there are remains of the foundation from the republican era building on the lowest levels of the Basilica. An industrial building from the imperial mint of Rome from the late 1st century A.D. was built on the same site during the Flavian period. Later, an insula was built on the site but separated from the industrial building by a narrow alleyway. At the beginning of 2 century A.D., a sanctuary of the cult of Mithras was built in the courtyard of the insula.
The main cult room was found in 1867 but could not be investigated until 1914 due to lack of drainage
From the 4th to 11th Centuries
In the 4th Century, the second floor of the lower level of the industrial building was remodeled. An apse was built over part of the Domus, where the lowest floor was also filled in.
The early basilica was the location where councils presided over by Pope Zosimus (417) and Symmachus (499). The last remarkable event that took place in the lower basilica was the election in 1099 of Cardinal Rainerius of St Clemente as Pope Paschal II
Four of the biggest frescoes within the Basilica were supported by a lay couple, Beno de Rapiza and Maria Macellaria, at some time in the last third of the 11th Century and focused on life, miracles, and interpretation of St. Clement and the life of St. Alexius. Beno and Maria are appeared in two of the compositions, once on the façade of the Basilica along with their children, Altilia and Clemens (“querulous Clemens,” i.e., “little boy Clement”), offering gifts to St. Clement, and on a column on the left side of the nave, where they are depicted on a little scale witnessing a miracle performed by St. Clement.
The Second Basilica
The present Basilica was rebuilt in one campaign by Cardinal Anastasius (1099-1120). The main hypothesis claims that the original church had burned out during the Norman sack of the city under Robert Guiscard in 1084. However, no proof of fire damage in the lower Basilica has been found to date.
Nowadays it is one of the most beautiful and richly adorned churches in Rome
A ceremonial entrance is surrounded by arcades, which now serve as a cloister. Fronting the atrium is the facade of Carlo Stefano Fontana, supported on antique columns. Moreover, the Basilica behind it is in three naves separated by arcades on ancient marble with Cosmatesque inlaid paving.
In 1645 the Dominicans of San Sisto were put in as caretakers by Camillo Pamphilj, the Cardinal-nephew of Innocent X, the entire property being given over in perpetuity to the Dominican Order in 1667 by Cardinal Francis Maidalchini, Pamphilj’s successor as Commendatory abbot of San Clemente. Ten years afterward, since religious persecution in Ireland, the Basilica and convent of San Clemente, together with those of San Sisto Vecchio inverse the Baths of Caracalla, were granted to the Irish Dominicans.
Useful Information
Excavations
You can book a visit to the Basilica or participation in the excavations process on the official website: www.basilicasanclemente.com.
- All visitors of the Basilica are requested to wear appropriately modest attire, turn off all cellphones, and comport themselves with respect appropriate to this sacred place.
- For the safety of pilgrims and visitors, the excavations are fitted with closed circuit security cameras.
- Photography is not allowed in any part of the excavations.
Marriage
To obtain a Marriage Certificate from the Basilica of San Clemente (Rome), you will need the following information before completing the form available for download:
- The Cheque Requisition Order (CRO) for the wire transfer of the amount of € 75,00 to International Bank Account Number (IBAN): IT21 V056 9603 2240 0000 3505 X17 payable to «Collegio San Clemente – Padri Domenicani Irlandesi»
- Bank Identifier Code (BIC/SWIFT): POSOIT22
- In executing the transfer, please use “Marriage Certificate” as the Description of Operation, and add the husband’s surname and maiden name of the wife.
For more info: www.basilicasanclemente.com
Weddings are NOT celebrated in the Basilica of St Clement
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