We rejoined the group for a farewell Mass at the Basilica of Saint Clement. It is mentioned by St. Jerome in the 4th century as among the most interesting churches in Rome, from both an artistic and historical point of view. The church was almost buried among the ruins after a terrible fire set by the Normans during a seige in 1084. It was rebuilt in the 12th century by Pope Pasqual II directly above the original basilica, following the same plan, and using whatever architectural elements could be re-used. Despite more recent additions, St. Clements remains a rare example of a paleo-Christian basilica.
Showing the schola cantorum (the structure in the middle) and apse with its brilliant mosaic.
Another beautiful ceiling.
Another dome.
Father Mark holds the book for Mark to read. Alas, it was an Italian book, and Mark can read Italian. None of us understood it, though :-(
Surprise! A cake for our farewell to Rome.
It's the same cake, even though the colour is slightly different. I did some fiddling to adjust for the colour of the fluorescent lights in the restaurant.
Along the Via dei Fori Imperali
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