Basilica of Saint Ippolito

The Basilica di Sant' Ippolito is a significant, excavated early Christian church complex near Fiumicino, Italy (ancient Portus), dating to the late 4th/early 5th century. It is important for understanding paleochristian Rome, featuring ruins of a basilica, a Romanesque bell tower, and associated structures, revealing layers of history from Roman port to Christian site.

Destroyed in 455 during the Vandal sack of Rome, it was again rebuilt by Pope Leo III (795-816) and embellished with a magnificent ciborium, reassembled in the nearby museum (Antiquarium).

After the 9th century the three front-doors were obstructed and the multiple aisles were reduced to a single large one; in the center was a schola cantorum, a fenced area where the choir would sit, and a circular Baptistery was placed on the left.

The church became the seat of the Bishop of Porto in the 11th century, but it fell into disrepair in the 15th century and since then has not longer been rebuilt.

Address
Via Col Moschin 1, Isola Sacra, Italy

Established
4th century AD