San Giorgio in Velabro

Welcome to San Giorgio in Velabro, a site where the layers of Roman history are physically manifest. We stand in the low valley of the Velabrum, nestled between the Capitoline and Palatine hills. …

Before we cross the threshold, we must pause at the portico and the neighboring Arch of Janus. The Arch of Janus, a massive four-way marble structure dating to the 4th century, is a survivor of the ancient Forum Boarium. …

Entering the nave, the first thing that strikes the scholarly eye is the arrangement of the columns. As I mentioned, these are 'spolia,' salvaged from various ancient buildings. …

As we approach the sanctuary, our attention is drawn to the magnificent 13th-century fresco in the apse. This masterpiece is attributed to Pietro Cavallini, a contemporary of Giotto who was instrumental in the transition toward a…

Beneath the high altar lies the spiritual heart of this basilica: the relics of Saint George. Through a small arched opening, or 'fenestella confessionis,' we can catch a glimpse of the reliquaries containing parts of the saint’s…

Along the walls of the nave, you will find several placards commemorating the eminent churchmen who have served as Cardinal Deacons of San Giorgio in Velabro. Because this church originated as a diaconia, it has traditionally…

Much of what we see today is the result of a radical restoration program undertaken in the 1920s. Led by the Superintendent of Monuments for Rome, this project aimed to strip away 'numerous accretions'—mostly Baroque and later…

As we depart San Giorgio in Velabro, let us take a final moment to reflect on the transformation of this site. We began our journey in the Velabrum, a place once dedicated to the 'worldly pursuits' of the cattle market and money…