Santa Sabina

Two days ago we visited Santa Sabina, a early Christian basilica perched atop the Aventine Hill. Built in the 5th century of Roman brick, the building is gorgeous. The interior of cool gray stone is less ornate that most of the churches in the city (which, with Baroque influences, can be overwhelming!).

My favorite detail were the etched and dyed portraits of the deceased that were buried beneath the basilica floor. These drawings were very plain, almost cartoonish, and involved simple lines that created garments, religious objects, and the countenance of the individual. Other than that, the predominant decoration was a fresco of Christ with his disciples set in a pastoral landscape amidst a flock of sheep, also quite beautiful.


Right outside the church is a public park that the church maintains. The day we went, there was a couple getting their wedding photos taken beneath the orange trees. And a group sunbathing in swimsuits.

At the far end of the park (past the wolf's head nasone - my favorite type of water fountain), there is a terrace that looks North-west over the Tiber corridor. In the distance, we could see St.Peter's dome and the seagulls that stalk it. Then there were the steep banks of the Tiber, now controlled by the concrete berms. Finally further left was the Pantheon's round roof, the birthday cake of the Victor Emmanuel Memorial, and the domes of several churches and the synagogue. We ate lunch with all that in sight (see earlier post on the sandwich!), and I am definitely planning on going back there to read. It was an absolutely fantastic park.