Our Lady in Trastevere

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Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere (Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere), 1143
Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Rome, April 2013

“S. Maria in Trastevere was rebuilt in the XIIth century by Pope Innocent II, who belonged to a family of Trastevere; because his appointment was challenged by an antipope who resided in the Vatican, he wanted S. Maria to be a church which could withstand comparison with the great basilicas; it was designed having in mind S. Maria Maggiore and gigantic columns from Terme di Caracalla were employed; the apse was decorated with a large mosaic and a tall bell tower was built to the right of the church; in the following century also the façade was decorated with a mosaic.” (S. Maria in Trastevere , A Rome Art Lover's Web Page)