The Basilica of Santi Cosma and Damino
We are going inside this building to see the Mosaics which were created in 527 and 530 AD and are considered to be the most beautiful in Rome.
The Basilica of Santi Cosma and Damiano Pronounced Caws-ma and Dam-ee-an-oh
was the idea of Pope Felix IV in the year 527. The Pope had a good relationship with the new King, Athalaric and Queen Amalasuntha (Regent) and because of this, acquired public buildings in the Forum and converted them into churches. He combined together, the Temple of Romulus and Vespasian’s library of the Forum of Peace, to become the Basilica of Cosma and Damiano, making this one of the two oldest churches to be found in the Forum. It is devoted to Cosma and Damiano, who were Greek twin brothers and doctors who were martyred and became saints.
In 527 CE, Christianity had been legal for about two hundred years, yet there was not a strong Christian presence in the Forum, as many noblemen in Rome, were still hostile about the thought of Christianity. The Basilica was built to counter the still very active pagan cult of the twin brothers Castor and Pollux who were represented in the Forum by the Temple devoted to them. We saw statues of Castor and Pollux at the top of the Cordonata at the Campidoglio. Also, while standing behind the Senatorio, looking in to the Forum, we saw the ruins of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
The Cosma and Damiano Basilica was known as a diaconia, which meant that it was a centre for charitable activities helping the poor and needy. When the Pope joined together the Temple of Romulus and the library, he may have hoped that the free medical service previously provided in the Temple of Peace would have continued in this church, so devoting it to Cosma and Damiano made perfect sense to encourage the medical use of the building.
The mosaics in the apse were created during the joining of the buildings. To best see the mosaics, look for the coin operated light box to the left of the apse. Drop some change in the slot to turn on the lights. The mosaics might seem a little distorted when viewing as when the church was built, the floor was seven meters lower. The floor was raised in 1632 because water was seeping into the building from the surrounding soil. The modification to the floor created an upper and lower church. Since then, the lower church has been used as a crypt. Plug your earphones in at this point, and listen to Mary’s description of the mosaics as you sit near the front of the church.
The plan of the basilica followed the Counter-Reformation style, during the period of Catholic Revival, with a single nave, three chapels on each side and the apse at the front. The right and left ends of the 6th century mosaics in the apse were covered during renovations when the triumphal arch was added and therefore, cannot be seen today.
When you leave the building, notice The Temple of Romulus at the back of the church which can be viewed through the glass wall.
This church has had various modifications and was restructured again in 1947. At that time the entrance through the Temple of Romulus was closed and the new entrance, through which you entered the church today, from Via dei Fori Imperali and through the cloister, was opened. As you leave and walk through the cloister, notice frescoes by Francesco Allegrini, an Italian painter of the Baroque Period which date from 1635.
was the idea of Pope Felix IV in the year 527. The Pope had a good relationship with the new King, Athalaric and Queen Amalasuntha (Regent) and because of this, acquired public buildings in the Forum and converted them into churches. He combined together, the Temple of Romulus and Vespasian’s library of the Forum of Peace, to become the Basilica of Cosma and Damiano, making this one of the two oldest churches to be found in the Forum. It is devoted to Cosma and Damiano, who were Greek twin brothers and doctors who were martyred and became saints.
In 527 CE, Christianity had been legal for about two hundred years, yet there was not a strong Christian presence in the Forum, as many noblemen in Rome, were still hostile about the thought of Christianity. The Basilica was built to counter the still very active pagan cult of the twin brothers Castor and Pollux who were represented in the Forum by the Temple devoted to them. We saw statues of Castor and Pollux at the top of the Cordonata at the Campidoglio. Also, while standing behind the Senatorio, looking in to the Forum, we saw the ruins of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
The Cosma and Damiano Basilica was known as a diaconia, which meant that it was a centre for charitable activities helping the poor and needy. When the Pope joined together the Temple of Romulus and the library, he may have hoped that the free medical service previously provided in the Temple of Peace would have continued in this church, so devoting it to Cosma and Damiano made perfect sense to encourage the medical use of the building.
The mosaics in the apse were created during the joining of the buildings. To best see the mosaics, look for the coin operated light box to the left of the apse. Drop some change in the slot to turn on the lights. The mosaics might seem a little distorted when viewing as when the church was built, the floor was seven meters lower. The floor was raised in 1632 because water was seeping into the building from the surrounding soil. The modification to the floor created an upper and lower church. Since then, the lower church has been used as a crypt. Plug your earphones in at this point, and listen to Mary’s description of the mosaics as you sit near the front of the church.
The plan of the basilica followed the Counter-Reformation style, during the period of Catholic Revival, with a single nave, three chapels on each side and the apse at the front. The right and left ends of the 6th century mosaics in the apse were covered during renovations when the triumphal arch was added and therefore, cannot be seen today.
When you leave the building, notice The Temple of Romulus at the back of the church which can be viewed through the glass wall.
This church has had various modifications and was restructured again in 1947. At that time the entrance through the Temple of Romulus was closed and the new entrance, through which you entered the church today, from Via dei Fori Imperali and through the cloister, was opened. As you leave and walk through the cloister, notice frescoes by Francesco Allegrini, an Italian painter of the Baroque Period which date from 1635.
The 6th-century apse mosaic is original and is justly famous. It provided inspiration for many later mosaics. The mosaic depicts the Parousia or Second Coming of Christ “on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). The manner in which Christ is depicted is Roman rather than Byzantine, despite the obvious Byzantine style of the work as a whole.
The mosaics in the apse were created between 527 and 530 AD and are considered to be the most beautiful in Rome. Christ stands covered in golden robes in the centre sustained by colourful clouds, and holding a rolled up scroll of the law in his left hand. At his feet flows the river Jordon since crossing the river Jordan to approach Christ, is the symbol of Baptism. On each side of Christ are St. Peter and St. Paul presenting to Christ, St. Cosma and Damiano, respectively. To the left is Pope Felix presenting a model of the church. St. Theodore stands on the far right (hidden a little behind the arch) dressed as a Byzantine official in a cloak that has a square purple cloth on it, which is the insignia of a magistrate of the court of Justinian.
On each side of the mosaic is a palm tree. Palm trees are very important in mosaics and paintings as they indicate that the scene is a heavenly vision. It isn’t a real life event, it is not an historical depiction; it is a vision, or imagined, or believed to be true.
A lovely and rare addition to this mosaic sits on a top branch of the left palm tree. Look closely as it is delightful. It is the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythical bird which is a symbol of resurrection. It is said that as one Phoenix dies and turns to ash, a new Phoenix rises from the ash; resurrected from the old. It comes to us originally from Greek mythology and was adopted as a symbol in early Christianity. You will see one other Phoenix today as we continue on this tour.
Position yourself in the church, to one side of the mosaic, so you can see the Lamb of God in the lower band of sheep. He is wearing a silver halo and is surrounded by twelve sheep who symbolize the apostles. The Lamb of God stands on a hill with Bethlehem on the right and Jerusalem on the left. The four rivers of Paradise flow directly from the Lamb. Watch for these rivers as we continue through the tour as you will see them often. Take a close look at the details in the sheep; they are wonderful. The head of each sheep is at a slightly different angle from the others and they each have a lovely face.
Triumphal Arch Mosaics
This mosaic was created between 687 and 701 under the reign of Pope Sergius I. The story on the arch is from the Book of Revelation. The Lamb of God is at the center of a blue shield, sitting on his jeweled throne, or altar. At His feet, is the rolled scroll of the Law with the seven seals still unbroken. Only He can break the seals to open the scroll. To the sides are seven jeweled candelabra, which are symbols of the seven Churches. Four angels float upon a sea of clouds. These angels are the symbols of the Evangelists Luke and John. Two of these angels which cannot be seen are Mark and Matthew as they are hidden behind walls which were built during the Baroque renovations.
What is mosaic?
Mosaic is a technique of decorating floors, walls and ceilings with patterns and pictures formed by using small cubes of marble, glass, or ceramic. The small cubes of glass are called tessarae(tess-ah-ray). On pavement the tessarae or pebbles are flattened to be as smooth as possible. Tessarae on walls, is sometimes deliberately, unevenly placed so they will reflect light unevenly, at random, and sparkle in the eyes of the viewer. Because the size of each tessarae is so small, artists could create finely detailed images. It was available in many colours which allowed the artists to create blending and shadows.
The mosaics in the apse were created between 527 and 530 AD and are considered to be the most beautiful in Rome. Christ stands covered in golden robes in the centre sustained by colourful clouds, and holding a rolled up scroll of the law in his left hand. At his feet flows the river Jordon since crossing the river Jordan to approach Christ, is the symbol of Baptism. On each side of Christ are St. Peter and St. Paul presenting to Christ, St. Cosma and Damiano, respectively. To the left is Pope Felix presenting a model of the church. St. Theodore stands on the far right (hidden a little behind the arch) dressed as a Byzantine official in a cloak that has a square purple cloth on it, which is the insignia of a magistrate of the court of Justinian.
On each side of the mosaic is a palm tree. Palm trees are very important in mosaics and paintings as they indicate that the scene is a heavenly vision. It isn’t a real life event, it is not an historical depiction; it is a vision, or imagined, or believed to be true.
A lovely and rare addition to this mosaic sits on a top branch of the left palm tree. Look closely as it is delightful. It is the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythical bird which is a symbol of resurrection. It is said that as one Phoenix dies and turns to ash, a new Phoenix rises from the ash; resurrected from the old. It comes to us originally from Greek mythology and was adopted as a symbol in early Christianity. You will see one other Phoenix today as we continue on this tour.
Position yourself in the church, to one side of the mosaic, so you can see the Lamb of God in the lower band of sheep. He is wearing a silver halo and is surrounded by twelve sheep who symbolize the apostles. The Lamb of God stands on a hill with Bethlehem on the right and Jerusalem on the left. The four rivers of Paradise flow directly from the Lamb. Watch for these rivers as we continue through the tour as you will see them often. Take a close look at the details in the sheep; they are wonderful. The head of each sheep is at a slightly different angle from the others and they each have a lovely face.
Triumphal Arch Mosaics
This mosaic was created between 687 and 701 under the reign of Pope Sergius I. The story on the arch is from the Book of Revelation. The Lamb of God is at the center of a blue shield, sitting on his jeweled throne, or altar. At His feet, is the rolled scroll of the Law with the seven seals still unbroken. Only He can break the seals to open the scroll. To the sides are seven jeweled candelabra, which are symbols of the seven Churches. Four angels float upon a sea of clouds. These angels are the symbols of the Evangelists Luke and John. Two of these angels which cannot be seen are Mark and Matthew as they are hidden behind walls which were built during the Baroque renovations.
What is mosaic?
Mosaic is a technique of decorating floors, walls and ceilings with patterns and pictures formed by using small cubes of marble, glass, or ceramic. The small cubes of glass are called tessarae(tess-ah-ray). On pavement the tessarae or pebbles are flattened to be as smooth as possible. Tessarae on walls, is sometimes deliberately, unevenly placed so they will reflect light unevenly, at random, and sparkle in the eyes of the viewer. Because the size of each tessarae is so small, artists could create finely detailed images. It was available in many colours which allowed the artists to create blending and shadows.
Directions to the Arch of Constantine - Distance: 500 M Time to walk: 5 Min
- As you exit the doors of the church follow the same sidewalk out as you did on your way in to the building
- Turn right at the corner of Via deil Fori Imperiali. Once you turn the corner, you will be walking directly toward the Colosseum. It will be very busy around you.
- Continue waking toward the Colosseum and notice that the Basilica of Maxentius is on your right. Emperor Constantine became the owner of this building after he killed Maxentius (his brother-in-law) at Melvin Bridge. (More information about this at the arch)
- Turn right at Piazza del Colosseo. You will see many people and many vendors. It is best to walk in the centre of the pedestrian area so you're not in direct line with the vendors.