San Giorgio in Velabro
Title
Description
Built in the 7th century upon a 5th century deaconry, which in turn was built over a complex from the 3rd century, the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Velabro has an irregular layout. The church was completed under Pope Leo II (611-683 C.E.), who dedicated it to Saint Sebastian. Saint George, a Cappadocian saint, became associated with the church in the 8th century when Pope Zachary moved George’s relics there. S. Giorgio in Velabro is named for the saint and for its location in the marsh (vel in Latin) that formed due to the frequent flooding of the Tiber and the presence of the cloaca maxima. The church stands near two antique arches: the 4th century Giano Quadrifronte Arch, which in part protected the markets in the Foro Boario and Foro Olitorio, and the 3rd century Argentari Arch, which was a gift from the bankers of the market and indicated the entrance to the Foro Boario.
The Chiesa di San Giorgio in Velabro represents a blending of ancient and medieval decorative styles. The surviving antique-style components include eight spoliated columns and the 13th century apse fresco, which mirrors the Early Christian apse program of SS. Cosma e Damiano and depicts both Saint George and Saint Sebastian with Christ in heaven. This fresco is attributed to Pietro Cavallini due to stylistic similarities with his other work. The church also underwent several additions in the medieval period that were more congruous with contemporary style. These additions include the 12th century campanile and the 13th century narthex constructed according to what was then the standard type. This narthex features ionic capitals and trabeated colonnades. These capitals were damaged in 1993 by a bombing orchestrated by the Mafia, but were left unrepaired after an extensive restoration effort to serve as reminders of the offense.
Abstract
Creator
Source
Vaughan Hart and Peter Hicks, Palladio’s Rome (New Haven: Yale University, 2006), 42, 70.
Richard Krautheimer, Rome. Portrait of a City, 313-1300 (Princeton: Princeton University, 1983), 222, 251.
Ministero Per I Beni E Le Attiva Culturali, Chiesa di San Giorgio al Velabro (Plaque outside of S. Giorgio in Velabro).
John Tagliabue, “Bombed Church is Resurrected in Rome as Testament to Faith,” New York Times, August 4, 1996, accessed June 2, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/04/world/bombed-church-is-resurrected-in-rome-as-testament-to-faith.html?emc=eta1. ,
Identifier
Spatial Coverage
Description
Built in the 7th century upon a 5th century deaconry, which in turn was built over a complex from the 3rd century, the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Velabro has an irregular layout. The church was completed under Pope Leo II (611-683 C.E.), who dedicated it to Saint Sebastian. Saint George, a Cappadocian saint, became associated with the church in the 8th century when Pope Zachary moved George’s relics there. S. Giorgio in Velabro is named for the saint and for its location in the marsh (vel in Latin) that formed due to the frequent flooding of the Tiber and the presence of the cloaca maxima. The church stands near two antique arches: the 4th century Giano Quadrifronte Arch, which in part protected the markets in the Foro Boario and Foro Olitorio, and the 3rd century Argentari Arch, which was a gift from the bankers of the market and indicated the entrance to the Foro Boario.
The Chiesa di San Giorgio in Velabro represents a blending of ancient and medieval decorative styles. The surviving antique-style components include eight spoliated columns and the 13th century apse fresco, which mirrors the Early Christian apse program of SS. Cosma e Damiano and depicts both Saint George and Saint Sebastian with Christ in heaven. This fresco is attributed to Pietro Cavallini due to stylistic similarities with his other work. The church also underwent several additions in the medieval period that were more congruous with contemporary style. These additions include the 12th century campanile and the 13th century narthex constructed according to what was then the standard type. This narthex features ionic capitals and trabeated colonnades. These capitals were damaged in 1993 by a bombing orchestrated by the Mafia, but were left unrepaired after an extensive restoration effort to serve as reminders of the offense.
Creator
Connor Dale (2016)Source
Vaughan Hart and Peter Hicks, Palladio’s Rome (New Haven: Yale University, 2006), 42, 70.
Richard Krautheimer, Rome. Portrait of a City, 313-1300 (Princeton: Princeton University, 1983), 222, 251.
Ministero Per I Beni E Le Attiva Culturali, Chiesa di San Giorgio al Velabro (Plaque outside of S. Giorgio in Velabro).
John Tagliabue, “Bombed Church is Resurrected in Rome as Testament to Faith,” New York Times, August 4, 1996, accessed June 2, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/04/world/bombed-church-is-resurrected-in-rome-as-testament-to-faith.html?emc=eta1. ,