Santa Prassede

00184 Roma

The Basilica of Santa Prassede (Latin Sanctae Praxedis ) is an early medieval titular church in Rome. It is located near the church of Santa Maria Maggiore on the Esquiline.

History

The first church on this site was probably built on the orders of Pope Siricius ( 384-399 ). Maybe it was at this point but even a much older church, which was donated by the eponym. The first certain mention is from the year 489 already well under Pope Hadrian I., there were significant enhancements. From 817-824, Pope Paschal I, the Church of basic build anew. The special feature is that the construction and equipping strongly related to early Christian thought, what the spirit of the epoch corresponding to ( Carolingian Renaissance ).

Therefore, this church and its equipment is definitely still classified in the transition from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages. In addition, Santa Prassede is the most important example of Byzantine art in Rome. Model for the construction was Old St. Peter. Probably in the 11th century built over the nave bell tower is the oldest bell tower of the city. In the years 1560 to 1566 some changes were made from 1594 to 1600 the church was renovated. In the 18th century crypt and sanctuary were replaced. However, the basilica 's all remained unchanged in all.

Patron saint and namesake of the Church is the holy Praxedis, the Zenokapelle probably the holy Zeno of Verona. Several popes have found their last resting place ( Celestine I., Fabian, Felix I., Pontian, I. Urban, all of which were reburied here from St. Callistus catacombs; Paschal I, however, was transferred from here to St. Peter ).

Building

The internal dimensions are:

  • Nave: length 36 m, width 14 m, height 15 m
  • Aisles each: width 5.5 m, height 6 m
  • Transept: Length 30.5 m, depth 6 m, height 13 m
  • Arc de Triomphe: width 10,5 m, height 13 m
  • Apse: width 10,5 m, depth 5 m, height 11 m
  • Overall length: 50 m

Zeno Chapel

On the east side of the Zeno Chapel ( Cappella di San Zeno ) is grown. They built in the tenure of Pope Paschal and equipped with gilded mosaics. Long you held it for the grave chapel of his mother Teodora episcopa, which is no longer considered likely today. The chapel is considered one of the most important buildings of the 9th century in Rome.

Angels in the dome of the Zeno Chapel

Christ in the dome of the Zeno Chapel

Zeno Chapel, right side: Theodora episcopa, mother of Paschal I

Mosaics

Her celebrity owes Santa Prassede primarily its mosaics, which are seen unchanged today. Both the triumphal arch and apse were decorated with masterful mosaics. On the central mosaic of the apse you can see Christ, who is flanked by six saints: Paschal I ( with the square nimbus of surviving baptized ), Praxedis, Paul on the left, St. Peter, Pudentiana and another not well known saint ( possibly Zenon ) on the right side. About Christ hovering the hand of God. On the triumphal arch, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the 24 elders are shown.

Also in the Zenonkapelle mosaics can be seen. Central to the input Christ and six of his disciples are arranged to his sides in an arc. Below is another bow, with Maria in the central position, flanked by five saints. In addition, in the upper corners two prophets are shown in the lower two popes. In the dome there is a medallion that is supported by four angels, with Christ at the center. On the sides of some disciples and saints can be seen.

In 1987, the mosaics were restored and cleaned.

Relics

In a side room of the Zeno Chapel contains a column fragment to come from the column was lashed to the Jesus Christ. It was brought to Rome in 1223 by Cardinal Giovanni Colonna.

The church also houses the remains of 2,000 martyrs who were brought here from the catacombs.

Organ

On the side gallery on the left of the main altar there is an organ, which was built in 1942 by the organ builder Tamburini. In the instrument pipe material of the previous organ from the 18th century was reused. The organ has 26 stops on two manuals and pedal. The tracker action are electric.

  • Pairing: Pairing normal, sub and Superoktavkoppeln (II / I, II / II, I / I, I / P, II / P)
Praxedes Pope Adrian I Pope Felix I Catacomb of Callixtus Mausoleum Catacombs of Rome
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