Rome, Italy
309 AD
Rome, Italy
272 BCE
Pula, Croatia
100-0 BCE
Vaison-la-Romaine, France
20 AD
Solin, Croatia
2nd century AD
Durrës, Albania
2nd century AD
Mainz, Germany
1st century AD
Medellín, Spain
1st century BCE
Arles, France
4th century AD
Brescia, Italy
73 AD
Augst, Switzerland
44 BC
Alcántara, Spain
104 AD
Rome, Italy
38 AD
Vaison-la-Romaine, France
0-100 AD
Fier, Albania
588 BCE
Solin, Croatia
7th century BCE
Seville, Spain
68-65 BCE
Rome, Italy
Early Roman
Trier, Germany
100-200 AD
Rome, Italy
c. 100 AD
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. The basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s, and much of the structure to 1140-43. The first sanctuary was built in 221 and 227 by Pope Callixtus I and later completed by Pope Julius I.
The inscription on the episcopal throne states that this is the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, although some claim that privilege belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Christian house-church was founded here about 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I (217-222) on the site of the Taberna meritoria, a refuge for retired soldiers. The area was made available for Christian use by Emperor Alexander Severus when he settled a dispute between the Christians and tavern-keepers.
The church underwent two restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries and in 1140-43 it was re-erected on its old foundations under Pope Innocent II.