Rome - December 29, 2011 - Piazza Santa Martino ai Monte & Santi Silvestro

Medieval towers in Piazza Santa Martino ai Monte

Just south west of Santa Maria Maggiore was the lovely Piazza di Santa Martino ai Monte. Two medieval towers and some lovely archaic buildings that look like they were made out of medieval Legos.

Part of this jumble looked like the back end of a church a very-very old church. A minutes walk south east on the Via Equizia proved this to be the case. The very temple – like front of Santi Silvestro (or San Martini ai Monti). Founded by one of my favorite popes (did you know I had one?) Pope St. Sylvester I. Over the next 1500 hundred years the church that now sits on a quiet street was formed and reformed into the delightful slice of 17th century architecture pictured here.

Looking at the apse end, you wouldn’t think that it would have that classical looking front would you? Surprises abound around every corner in Rome.

On the left the apse of Santi Silvestro (AKA Santa Martino ai Monte)

The front of Santi Silvestro, AKA Santa Martino ai Monti (bit of a difference eh?)