Sneaky Sundays: Basilica dei Santi Quattro Incoronati

Having no plans on Sundays is often a good way to find interesting things to do. Usually, I decide to go for a walk in those parts of the city where I never have a chance to stroll during weekdays. I choose an area or a particular monument as starting point, and then I leave my curiosity lead my steps through tiny streets or up hillsides...

This last Sunday, I headed toward the Colosseum and the area around it.

Just a few steps away, I saw this house and its beautiful last floor...

Would you live in there, having this amazing historical view every time you open the windows? I sure would !

Walking up the north side of the Coelian Hill, I felt like being in a village rather than in a 3,5 million-inhabitants city...

...and before I had reached its top, I saw this fortress that attracted my attention like honey to bees. 

What was that? I HAD to find out...                      ...Basilica of the Four Crowned Ones. 

                                                                               4th century...I could not miss it!

The Four Crowned Ones were four martyrs who refused to sacrifice to Esculapio, and were therefore killed. Their bodies rest in the crypt built under the church.

Beyond the first wooden door, there is a first courtyard, with the guard tower, and then a second one. The complex includes not only the basilica, but also the fortified Cardinal Palace and the monastery.

On the walls on both sides of the church entrance are frescos of medieval times.

I entered the church...

...and I met a very kind Augustinian nun, who told me about the history of the Basilica and the foundation of the monastery, where she lives with other 13 sisters.

The access to the cloister is on the left nave of the church. Visits to both the cloister and the Oratorio of San Silvestro close at noon.
santiquattrocoronati.org