San Martino ai Monti
From Churches of Rome Wiki
San Martino ai Monti St Martin's in the Hills
28 Viale Monte Oppio 00184 Roma Tel. 06 47 83 166 Fax 06 48 73 190 Normally open every day 07.00-12.00 and 16.30-19.00.
Ancient church dedicated to St Martin of Tours, 4th century Bishop of Tours. History
The church was probably one of the tituli, the first parish churches of Rome, known as Titulus Equitii. It was founded in the 3rd century, or possibly in the 4th century by Pope St Sylvester, as a 'house-church' in a private home1. A local synod was held here in 324 to prepare for the Council of Nicaea.
It was rebuilt in the 6th century by Pope Symmachus (498-514), and dedicated to Pope St Sylvester and St Martin of Tours. It is therefore also known as Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti.
The present church was built by Pope Sergius II (844-847). The basilical plan was preserved, and columns from the first church were reused. Many relics of early martyrs were brought here from the suburban cemeteries, which were threatened by raiders. The most important are the relics of Sts Artemius, Paulina and Sisinnius, which were translated from the Catacomb of Priscilla and now lie under the high altar.
It has been restored several times since. In 1570, St Charles Borromeus has some alterations made. The last major work was done in 1650 by Filippo Gagliardi.
The church is now served by the Calced Carmelites. It was granted to them in 1299 by Pope Bonifatius VIII. Their ownership was confirmed in 1559.
It has been a titular church since 1299. In 1921, Achille Ratti became titular of the church. The next year, he was elected pope and took the name Pius XI. Giovanni Battista Montini became titular of the church in 1958. He was elected pope in 1963, taking the name Paul VI. The current titular (1994-) is H.E. Armand Gaétan Cardinal Razafindratandra, Archbishop of Antananarivo. Exterior
The Baroque façade was designed by Pietro da Cortona in 1650. To the sides of the door are stucco images of Sts Sylvester and Martin, by Stefano Castelli.
At the back is a staircase, by which you reach a small courtyard and a 16th century façade.
Next to the church are two Medieval towers, the Torri dei Capocci, the Provincial Curia of the Calced Carmelites and the Social Centre of St Martin, and institution aiding the poor. Interior
Excavations have revealed Roman houses below the church, and one of them is thought to have been used for Christian worship before tolerance was granted by the emperor. It is however possible that they were adapted for Christian worship at a later time. You can reach the houses through the crypt.
The crypt was designed by Pietro da Cortona in the 17th century. The remains of a large number of sainted popes, among them St Martin I (649-655) and other saints, many of whose names are unknown, were reburied here when barbarian raids threatened the catacombs outside the walls. There are remains of Roman and Medieval structures here, and frescoes from the 9th century have been preserved. There is also an 11th century mosaic of Pope St Sylvester. The staircase down to the crypt is by Filippo Gagliardi. It is flanked by Tuscan columns (an Italian form of the Doric column) and pilasters. The statues of saints are by Paolo Nadini, made in 1655.
The Corinthian columns separating the three aisles are from the first church on the site.
Landscape paintings in the aisles are by Gaspar Poussin. On the left-hand side, there are paintings of the interior of the Constantinian Basilica of St Peter and that of the Lateran Basilica, made by Filippo Gagliardi.
The entablature has carvings of martyr's instruments and scenes of Old Testament Jewish worship.
The cassette ceiling was donated by St Charles Borromeus.
The tabernacle at the high altar was made by Francesco Belli.
In the right-hand aisle, the first altar has a depiction of St Maria Magdalena de'Pazzi, Patron of Florence and Naples, made by Matteo Piccione in 1647.
The second altar on the same side has The Extacy of St Therese of the Child Jesus, by Giovanni Greppi.
At the third altar on the right is a depiction of St Martin by Fabrizio Chiari.
In the left-hand aisle, the first altar has a depiction of an angel by Pietro Testa. To the left of the altar is a fresco by Jean Miel, depicting St Cyril Baptizing a Sultan, made in 1651.
The second has a depiction of St Alberto Carmelitano by Girolamo Muziano, made in 1575.
In the sacristy, a votive lamp in silver has been preserved, as well as a Papal tiara, an episcopal mitre and other objects.
Special notes
The feast of St Martin is celebrated on 11 November. Another important feast in this church is that of the Madonna del Carmine on 16 July.
It is the station church of Thursday after the fourth Sunday of Lent.
Devotion to the Venerable Angelo Poli, a Carmelite, is encouraged here.
Solemn Vespers are sung every Saturday afternoon. Footnotes
1: There is some controversy over the location of the Titulus Equitii; it may have been located at another place in the area (Santa Maria in Aquiro has been suggested). No matter which is correct, the church is historically and geographically linked to that titulus.
