San Giovanni a Porta Latina

English name:
St John before the Latin Gate
Dedication:
St John
Denomination:
Roman Catholic
Type:
Titular church
Titular church
Cardinal Macharski
Built:
5th c., rebuilt 8th c., restored in 1191 and 20th cent.
Address:
17 Via di San Giovanni a Porta Latina 
00179 Roma
Phone:
06 77 40 00 32

San Giovanni a Porta Latina is dedicated to St John.

History

The church was built in the 5th century, according to tradition by Pope St Gelasius I (492-496). Maker's stamps on roof tiles have been dated to the end of the 5th century, so it seems likely that it was indeed built during St Gelasius' time.

It was rebuilt c. 720, and restored in 1191.

French soldiers used it as a barracks after the invasion in 1798. After that, it was first turned into a storage facility for wool and then a tannery.

In the 1940's, it was restored back to its original Romanesque style, so that much of the original decoration can be seen.

The current titular of the church is H.E. Franciszek Cardinal Macharski, archbishop of Kraków, who has been its titular since 1979.

Exterior

The church is attached to the Rosminian House, now the headquarters of the Institute of Charity, founded by Antonio Rosmini.

The campanile, six stories high with quadruple windows, is from the 12th century.

The well in the forecourt is ancient, and stands in the shade of a cedar tree.

From outside you can see that the apses are polygonal, which is an Eastern feature.

Interior

During the latest restoration, an archaeologist found 12th century paintings hidden by plaster. They depict scenes from Genesis, the Creation and the Fall of Man, and from the New Testament, the Redemption. The Old testament scenes start on the right side near the sanctuary, and the New Testament scenes are painted below them in two tiers.

In the central apse are 12th century paintings of the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse and symbols of the Evangelists.

Fragments of ancient sculptures have been reused in the pavement of the sanctuary and the narthex, and some of the pieces can be interesting.

The church has a triple apse in the Eastern style.

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