Basilica of Saint Sebastian outside the walls

The Basilica of Saint Sebastian outside the walls is located along the Via Appia Antica, between the Park of the Caffarella and the Catacombs of St Sebastian and it is part of the so-called Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, traditional itinerary travelled by pilgrims from all over the world in the occasion of the Holy Year.

The basilica stands where, according to legend, were taken the remains of Saint Peter and Paul during the Christian persecution. That's why the original name of this church was Basilica Apostolorum, before being devoted to Saint Sebastian, who was buried in late third century in the catacombs located underneath the basilica.

Fearing a Saracen assault, in 826 the remains of the saint were transferred to the Basilica of St. Peter. And it was a wise decision, since the assault took actually place causing the destruction of the church.

The Basilica was later rebuilt by Pope Nicholas I, while the martyr's altar was reconsecrated by Honorius III by request of the Cistercians, who took care of th church.

BASILICA OF SAINT SEBASTIAN: WHAT TO SEE?

The elegant façade by Giovanni Vasanzio is formed, in the lower part, by a portico with three archs supported by Ionic granite columns, corrisponding, in the higher part, to three big windows.

The interior of the church, with only one nave, presents a beautiful carved wooden ceiling also by Vasanzio with emblems by Cardinal Borghese and Pope Gregorius XVI.

On the right is the chapel of relics, decorated in 1625, which houses the stone imprinted with the footprints of Jesus of Domine quo vadis?, one of the arrows which martyred St. Sebastian together with part of the column to which he was tied during the martyrdom.

Basilica of Saint Sebastian outside the walls, Interior - Foto di Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Albani Chapel, on the other hand, was built in 1716 commissioned by Pope Clemens XI by Carlo Maratta, Alessandro Specchi, Filippo Barigioni and Carlo Fontana. It is square, with an apse and a dome decorated with works by Pier Leone Ghezzi and Giuseppe Passeri.

On the left, in correspondence with the crypt below, is St Sebastian's Chapel, designed by Ciro Ferri in 1672. Here is a reclining statue of St. Sebastian, masterpiece by Giuseppe Giorgetti, disciple of Bernini.

Finally, halfway between the Chapel of Relics and the Albani Chapel, a flight of stairs goes down leading to the catacumbs of St. Sebastian.

This article ends here. You only need to read the box below to organize at best your visit and discover how to get to the Basilica.