Basilica of Santa Prassede
Nestled just south of the renowned Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica minor Santa Prassede (Basilica of Saint Praxede) is a must-visit for any traveler exploring Rome. This Roman titular church is celebrated for its stunning early medieval mosaics crafted by the Cosmati school, making it one of the most exquisite Romanesque churches in the city.
While the basilica has undergone changes during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, it still retains its historical charm. The architectural layout of the basilica mirrors the primitive St. Peter’s Basilica, featuring a central nave, two aisles divided by columns, a transept, and an apse. Visitors are greeted by a grand portal with a staircase and portico, setting the stage for the beauty within.
Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or simply looking to soak in the rich culture of Rome, the Basilica of Saint Praxede offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past. Don’t miss the chance to marvel at its breathtaking mosaics and historic architecture on your next visit to Rome!
Explore the breathtaking Byzantine mosaics from the 9th century, prominently displayed in the apse. On the right side of the Redeemer, you’ll find the figures of St. Peter, Santa Pudenziana, and St. Zeno. To the left, admire the depictions of St. Paul, Santa Prassede, and Pope Paschalis, who is shown holding a model of the church. The square halo around the Pope’s head indicates that he was still alive when this mosaic was created.
These mosaics are a true testament to Byzantine artistry, with the sisters, St. Pudenziana and St. Prasseda, elegantly dressed as Byzantine princesses. Don’t miss the chance to witness these historical masterpieces!
What can you visit here?
It was filmed about the basilica
Information from history
HISTORY OF THE BASILICA
Discover the Historic Temple of St. Praxeda. Built in 780 AD by Pope Hadrian I, the Temple of St. Praxeda stands on the ancient ruins of a 5th-century temple. This sacred site houses the relics of two revered sisters, St. Praxeda and St. Pudentiana, who were martyred during the persecution of Christians under Roman Emperor Antonius Pius in 165 AD. Explore this historic landmark and immerse yourself in its rich history and spiritual significance.
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes commonly known in Italian as Santa Prassede, is an early medieval titular church and minor basilica located near the papal basilica of Saint Mary Major, on Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a in rione Monti of Rome, Italy. The current Cardinal Priest of Titulus Sancta Praxedis is Paul Poupard. Dedicated to the second-century saint Praxedes, who with her sister Pudentiana, was said to have provided comfort and care to Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire.
The church incorporates mosaic decoration that mark it among the oldest churches in Rome. A church near this site was present since the fifth century, but the church in its current place and general layout was commissioned by Pope Hadrian I around the year 780 to house the relics (bones) of Saint Praxedes (Italian: S. Prassede) and Saint Pudentiana (Italian: S. Pudenziana), the daughters of Saint Pudens, traditionally St. Peter’s first Christian convert in Rome. The church was built atop of the remains of a 4th-century ancient Roman Thermae, privately owned by the family of Pudentiana, and called Terme di Novato. The two female saints were murdered for providing Christian burial for early martyrs in defiance of Roman law. The basilica was enlarged and decorated by Pope Paschal I in c. 822.
Pope Paschal, who reigned 817–824, was at the forefront of the Carolingian Renaissance started and advocated by the emperor Charlemagne. They desired to get back to the foundations of Christianity theologically and artistically. Paschal, thus, began two, linked, ambitious programs: the recovery of martyrs’ bones from the catacombs of Rome and an almost unprecedented church building campaign. Paschal dug up numerous skeletons and transplanted them to this church. The Titulus S. Praxedis was established by Pope Evaristus, around 112. While on a pilgrimage to Rome with his father around 855-856, the young and future English king Alfred the Great was reportedly deeply impressed and inspired by the church’s beauty.
The inscriptions found in Santa Prassede, a valuable source illustrating the history of the church, have been collected and published by Vincenzo Forcella.
The church contains the oratory of San Zenone.
The church provided the inspiration for Robert Browning’s poem “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed’s Church.”
Where to get tourist information?
Contacts
Basilica Santa Prassede
Via di Santa Prassede 9/a, 00184 Rome
tel. +39 06 4 882 456
e-mail: basilicas.prassede@libero.it
web: santaprassede.wordpress.com
Moravian Slovakia Museum
Smetanovy sady 179, 686 01 Uherské Hradiště
tel. +420 572 556 556
e-mail: info@slovackemuzeum.cz
web: www.slovackemuzeum.cz
Velehrad Tourist Centre
Salašská 328, 687 06 Velehrad
tel. 723 984 080
e-mail: ticvelehrad@email.cz
web: www.velehrad.cz
How to get to basilica?
Basilica di Santa Prassede is in the Monti neighborhood of central Rome. The nearest metro stations are Cavour, Vittorio Emanuele, and Termini, all of which are a 5–10 minutes’ walk away. The church entrance is on Via di Santa Prassede.
You can reach Santa Prassede on foot or by bus/ metro.
On foot: the basilica is a 5-minute walk from Termini station and less than 3 minutes walks from the famous Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
The closest bus stops are those that serve Via Cavour and in particular Metro B stop Cavour and all those that have Termini station as bus terminal (C2, C3, H, M, 16, 38, 40, 64, 75, 82, 85, 90, 92, 105, 170, 175, 217, 310, 360, 649, 714, 910).