Santi Cosma e Damiano Church, Rome
Santi Cosma e Damiano Church (Basilica Santi Cosma e Damiano) is located in the heart of ancient Rome, and is one of its oldest churches. It has everything – rich fascinating history, skillful murals and mosaics. And the monuments of the ancient world are located in the neighborhood and will definitely not let you pass by this place.
Church history
In 64, a fire broke out in Rome, which destroyed many buildings on the northern side of the Roman Forum. A few years later, the Emperor Vespasian built a huge Temple of Peace in their place, which included a temple, a library and fountains.
Later, in the 4th century, the Emperor Maxentius transformed the buildings, creating the temple of Romulus, in memory of his late son. After the fall of the Roman Empire, in 526, the emperor of the Ostrogoths – Theoderic the Great presented the library and the temple to Pope Felix IV. The latter connected both buildings, and used them as a Christian church. It was dedicated to the holy martyrs Cosma and Damiano, who died in the year 303.
In the Middle Ages, the Basilica became a place of assistance to the poor and pilgrims in Rome. In 1512 the church was given to the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis. In 1600, an earthquake damaged the temple, and in 1626–1632, Pope Urban VIII conducted its pivotal restoration. In 1946–1947, the church was restored again, a new entrance and a whole monastic complex appeared.
Architecture and interior
The church is small, it has one nave with three chapels on each side. Near the main entrance there are 2 halls with original marble slabs from the Forum of Peace floor have been preserved. There are about 150 of them, and more than 1000 fragments were found during the excavations.
The main value of the temple is a magnificent mosaic of the apse. It was created around 530. The mosaic depicts the scene of the introduction of the saints in heaven. Christ is in the center of the composition, on both sides – the Apostle Paul, St. Cosmas and Pope Felix IV, the Apostle Peter and Saints Damian and Theodore of Tyrone. The remaining apostles are depicted below in symbolic images of sheep.
Interesting fact
Since the beginning of the construction of the Temple of Peace, this place has been important for medicine. The meetings of Roman physicians were held here. The most famous physician and philosopher of antiquity, Claudius Galen, lecturedin the library of the Forum. An interesting fact is that the holy martyrs Cosmas and Damian were doctors who treated people in the name of God. For which they died at the hands of pagan rulers. And they are honored as patrons of doctors, surgeons, pharmacists and veterinarians.
How to get there
Santi Cosma e Damiano Church is located in the heart of ancient Rome, on Via dei Fori Imperiali, 1. It is surrounded by the famous sights of the Eternal City – the Colosseum, the Capitoline Hill, the Trajan Market and the Triumphal Arch are close by. Nearby there is a bus stop Fori Imperiali (routes 85, 87, 118).
Opening hours: every day, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. Phone number for information (+39) 06 6990808.
Free admission.
