Rome Centre - The Home of Christianity

For centuries, Rome has been the site for pilgrimages. From the doorway of many a hotel, Rome centre has been a starting place for providing Christians with a way to discover, or rediscover, the history and reality of the Catholic Church.

Early Christian

Abandon your hotel - Rome centre is the start of your journey to the past, when Christianity was at its earliest stages. The Catacombs are cemeteries constructed underground by ancient specialists- the fossores or gravediggers. They carved the walls of dirt and stone creating gallery after gallery for the dead.

The most famous catacombs date from the 2nd century. To reach them, you will have to travel beyond your hotel in Rome centre, along the former consular roads to the former suburbs of their time. Currently, you can visit any or all five of the following Catacombs:

1. The catacombs of St. Agnes, Via Nomentana

2. The catacombs of Priscilla, via Salaria

3. The catacombs of Domitilla, via delle Sette Chiese

4. The catacombs of St. Sebastian, via Appia Antica

5. The catacombs of St. Callixtus, Via Appia Antica

While it may seem slightly ghoulish to visit the Catacombs, it does give you a chance understand early death and burial customs - especially noting the funerary paintings on the walls.

From Temples to Churches

The survival of many an ancient pagan Roman temple has depended on its conversion into a Christian Church. You can find examples throughout the city where the early religious buildings were taken over by the newer form of religion. Put on comfortable shoes, even though you may be taking a taxi, and leave behind your hotel. Rome centre is a significant part of this history.

Your expedition should firstly take you to the Forum. Here stands the former Temple of Romulus. It became the vestibule of the Church of Santi Cosma e Damiano sometime in the 6th century. This semi-circular brick temple is topped by a cupola with other points of interest being the concave porch and two original heavy, bronze doors. The church also occupies a former hall of Vespasian's Forum of Peace. Visit to see the 18th century carved figures making up the Nativity scene.

The Pantheon was designed by Emperor Hadrian to celebrate the pantheon - the collective name of the Roman Gods. Its noted feature was its magnificent dome. Hollow decorative coffering helped to decrease the overall weight of the dome. This made the entire structure more stable with the help of the structurally embedded brick arches. The dome features an oculus - an eye or hole in the centre. It is the only source of light to this remarkable and beautiful building. Of particular beauty is the marble floor with its restored Roman pattern.

Many people come here to pay homage to the artist, Raphael who is entombed within, some to admire the architecture, and others to see the tombs of Italy's former kings.

Santa Nicola in Carcere is a small medieval church in the Campo de' Fiore. It stands on the sites of three Roman temples: Juno, Spes and Janus. Inside, several columns are integrated into the walls and testify as to the origins of this church. The Roman columns and an early bell tower are points of interest.

San Clemente, with architectural elements from the 4th century, is one of the earliest Christian churches. Beneath it, however, lie the ruins of several ancient Roman buildings, including a temple dedicated to the all-male cult of Mithras. Several frescoes illustrating his life are of interest.

Rome also has many early Christian churches. Not all were built on the foundations of pagan temples. Among them are Santa Pudenziana, with its extraordinary 4th century mosaic, and San Cecilia in Trastevere,with an altar canopy by Arnolfo di Cambio. Beneath San Cecilia is another Roman ruin worth visiting - the ruins, not of a temple, but of a Roman tannery.

All these historic sights are well within easy reach of your hotel - Rome centre and her history await!

Looking for a hotel Rome centre? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for World Hotels, a company offering the best rooms at a Rome centre hotel and a selection of unique and four and five star hotels around the world.

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