Early Christian Rome

One of the greatest benefits of studying at the BSR is making new friends, and together visiting places I otherwise wouldn't have. Miss Malta Charlene took me to this early Christian church and filled me in on the details as we wandered about the centrally planned structure.
Santa Costanza is an Imperial mausoleum in Rome that was later dedicated as a church (in Italian it is known both as Mausoleo di Santa Costanza and Chiesa di Santa Costanza).




The round mausoleum was probably built in the 360s or 370s. Despite its name, the mausoleum of Santa Costanza was probably built for Constantine's younger sister Helena, who was married to the Emperor Julian "the Apostate" (ruled 361-63).


As the daughter, sister and wife of three separate emperors (Constantius, Constantine, Julian), Helena had considerable status and it makes sense that she would receive a burial place of great splendor. The mausoleum's columns were reused from Roman structures and its mosaics (many still intact) reflect both pagan and Christian imagery.




JC bathes in god-light in the centre of the church, while the Italian guide speaks to her group. You can tell she is speaking because her hand is blurry in the photo, which means it's in motion.



I photographed this "Mary of the Grotto" on a BSR trip to Caprarola to see the Palazzo Farnese. It is not of the Early Christian period, but she is an early Christian...one might even say the first Christian.


After the austere beauty of an Early Christian church, marble clad baroque churches like this one tend to look a little tacky; but you gotta love the star light halo. Mary's got bling, and she is not afraid to flaunt it.