BASILICA DI SANTA PRASSEDE
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Church dedicated to Santa Prassede in Rome.
Santa Prassede (Saint Praxed) was the daughter of Pudens, a Roman senator who is said to have sheltered Saint Peter. A church was dedicated to her in the5th century, rebuilt by Paschal I (817-824) at the time of the great Carolingian restoration. The plan is obviously basilical with three naves, with triumphal arch and apse, covered with mosaics. In the center of the pavement, a porphyry disk covers a well where, according to the legend, Saint Praxedius collected the remains and the blood of the martyrs. Admire the Chapel of St. Zenon, built by Pope Paschal I as a tomb for his mother, to the right of the choir: it is the most important Byzantine monument in Rome and contains some of the most beautiful mosaics of its kind. Very narrow, this chapel is entirely covered with mosaics on a gold background dating from the ninth century. Above the door of the chapel, medallions present Christ surrounded by the apostles and the Virgin accompanied by saints. The mosaics of the apse are probably the best example of Carolingian mosaics freed from Byzantine aesthetics, do not miss them. It shows St. Paul holding St. Praxedia under his protection, with Pascal under his square halo, meaning that he was still alive when the mosaic was made. A niche added later houses a fragment of the flagellation column. In the church there is also a bust of Bishop Santoni, Bernini's first sculptural work: a must see!
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