Itineraries: Medieval Cloisters in Rome

The majority of tourists from around the world arrive with their guides, city maps and full of information downloaded from the internet.

Places to visit are the usual Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, etc., but the city of Rome is not all there, forbid them.

This time I would suggest different destinations, less known, but certainly most fascinating: the medieval cloisters. Since you'll also get the Colosseum, the Vatican, and other famous places to visit, for now I suggest the following cloister: the one inside the Basilica dei Santissimi Quattro Coronati.

Places of peace and meditation, the cloister is a heavenly symbol. You will visit two of the most beautiful and ancient cloisters in Rome, hidden in the heart the Basilica dei Santissimi Quattro Coronati. 

Cloister of the Basilica of SS. Quattro Coronati

The Basilica of SS. Quattro Coronati in the Celio area, is one of the most important medieval Basilicas of Rome. The Church takes its title from four Roman soldiers martyred under the Emperor Diocletian. The story is narrated in the "Golden legend" of Jacopo Da Varagine: «the Quattro Coronati were Severo, Severino, Carpoforo, Victoriano; by order of Diocletian were beaten until they were dead. For a long time their names remained unknown, but were later revealed by the Lord and their names were listed together with those of five other martyrs: Claudio, Nicostrato, Sinforiano and Simplicio, who were martyred two years after the Quattro Coronati.

The Church is located on an ancient Roman domus, which had a large absided hall turned into Church between the 4th and 5th century. It is mentioned under its present name in 595 a.d. Under the papacy of Leo IV the Church was transformed into a magnificent three-aisled basilica, preceded by a portico on which stands the Bell Tower, today one of the oldest towers left in Rome. The building suffered severe damage during the Norman sack of 1084; Pope Pasquale II rebuilt it in 1110 in smaller size, with three naves obtained from the original nave. In 1138, the Church was entrusted to the Benedictine monks, who held it until the sec. XV; under them were built the monastery (late sec. XII), the cloister (secs. XIII) and the chapel of S. Silvestro (1246). In 1521 the church passed under the Camaldolesi and later, from 1560 was entrusted to the Augustinian Sisters who still hold it. The complex underwent extensive restoration, especially around 1630, when the church was frescoed and decorated again. In 1912-1914 Antonio Muñoz restored the whole complex according to the original medieval style. The last intervention dates back to 2004, when the beautiful 13th century cloister was returned to the medieval splendor.

The Interior of the Church shows, along the outer perimeter, the columns of the ancient basilica, while those of the present church are of granite, with simple capitals. The floor is from the 12th century, in opus alexandrinum. In the aisles are preserved remains of frescoes from the 12th century; in particular, on the left, you find the altar of S. Sebastiano. From this same aisle you will get to the cloister (photo), dating from the 13th century, one of the most beautiful of Rome despite being rather bare of decorations. Author of the cloister was probably a Roman marble master, Pietro de Maria, who erected also the cloister of the Abbey of Sassovivo.

I must warn you that it is preferable not to make this visits on Saturday or Sunday because of religious services (masses, baptisms, weddings, etc.) in the churches visited. In addition, access to churches is subjected to a strict regulation of dress and I suggest women to bring a shawl in case of need, and men to avoid shorts.