Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti (Saints Sylvester & Martin in the Mountains)
Originally two chapels merged into one Church in a traditionally poor district, a local synod was held here in 324 to prepare for the Council of Nicaea. 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 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.
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.
The Corinthian columns separating the three aisles are from the first church on the site.
The tabernacle at the high altar was made by Francesco Belli.
The cassette ceiling was donated by St Charles Borromeus.
Paolo Naldini was responsible for these statues of saints. Anticlockwise from the near right, we have SS Cyriaca, Stephen, Pope Fabian, Nicander (a doctor of medicine beheaded at Alexander in Egypt in the early 4th century), Theodore, Martin, Pope Innocent and Justa.
There's much more to see here and below the church...
Down Below!
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