Santa Balbina Vergine
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Santa Balbina Vergine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| English name: | St Balbina |
| Dedication: | Balbina |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Clergy: | Diocesan clergy |
| Titular church | Péter Erdö |
| Built: | |
| Architect(s): | |
| Artists: | |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | Piazza di Santa Sabina 8 00153 Roma |
| Phone: | 06 57 80 207 |
Santa Balbina Vergina is a church dedicated to the 2nd century Roman virgin and martyr St Balbina.
The church has been closed to the public for a period. If you find it closed, call at the monastery in the building next to it (within reasonable hours) and the nuns may let you in.
[edit] History
The church is ancient, and was probably built in the 4th century above the house of the consul Lucius Fabius Cilone. The first reference to it is found in a 6th century document, where it's referred to as Sanctae Balbinae. It was consecrated, or re-consecrated, by Pope St Gregory the Great.
The convent of Santa Balbina was the work of Greek monks. Because of the barbarian incursion in the Middle Ages, the convent was fortified with towers and crenellations.
It was rebuilt several times. In 1489 Marco Barbo, nephew of Pope Paul II, reconstructed the ceiling. Under Pope Sixtus V, the columns of the portico where replaced with pilasters, and the apse was frescoed. The present Romanesque look is a result of restoration work carried out 1927–1930 by Antonio Muñoz.
The church is served by diocesan clergy.
The present titular of the church is Péter Erdö, who was created cardinal on 21 October 2003.
[edit] Interior
The church is built on a basilical plan.
At the high altar is a jasper urn containing the relics of St Balbina, her father St Quirinus and St Felicissimus.
The tomb of Cardinal Stephanus de Surdis is signed by Giovanni di Cosma, dated 1303. There is also a 13th century Cosmatesque episcopal throne.
An altar from old St Peter's was moved here.
In the fourth niche on the right-hand side is a 15th century marble relief of the Crucifixion.
The choir, restored 1939, has fragments of 1st century mosaics found beneath Via Imperiale.
