Ever wonder how old this church is? The Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia stands here a testament to faith and time. It is located at the foot of the Palatine Hill. This location strategically positions it between the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus.
Let’s delve into the story of the Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia. It is one of Rome’s oldest titular churches. Do not let the Baroque exterior fool you. Or the 18th-century interior. This basilica’s history stretches back much further.
Construction likely began in the early 4th century. The church rises upon layers of Roman history. Tabernae and private buildings once lined a street here. These buildings occupied the Palatine’s southwestern slopes. Early records refer to it as titulus Anastasiae. This might allude to the Anastasis. That is Greek for Resurrection. It might refer to the saint. The saint’s name first appears in the Synod of 499. Tradition links this basilica to the preaching of St Jerome. St Leo the Great is also linked.
Centuries have seen many changes here at the Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia. Restorations have shaped its form. Pope Urban VIII Barberini ordered a significant restoration in 1636. This gave the church its modern appearance. Further work was commissioned in the 19th century. Pope Pius VII and Pope Pius IX oversaw these later efforts.
The Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia’s exterior is simple. It features two orders. Twin bell towers flank it. Inside you will see three aisles. Michelangelo Cerruti’s Martyrdom of St Anastasia adorns the coffered ceiling. Look for Pier Francesco Mola’s 17th-century painting. It depicts St John the Baptist in the Desert.
Beneath the altar lies a statue of St Anastasia. This 17th-century work draws inspiration from Bernini. Tradition says St Jerome brought them to Rome.
Until the 18th century this Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia played a key role in Lent. The pontiff led a penitential procession from here. It was Ash Wednesday. The procession ended at the Basilica of Santa Sabina. The first stationary mass of Lent was celebrated there.
The Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia stands as a place of faith. It is also a marker of time. Its walls have seen the city change around it. Consider its long history. Think of the people who have worshipped here. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty.