The Basilica di San Silvestro in Capite can be found at Piazza di San Silvestro, #17A.  What we see today dates from 1591.  Even though the basilica is dedicated to Pope San Silvestro, the addition of “in Capite” is due to the fact that the relic of the head of Saint John the Baptist was kept here, beginning in the 13th century.  This is the church of the English-speaking people in Rome.  A monastery and church have stood on this site, since 761.  It is interesting to note that the façade, we see from the piazza, is not even a part of the basilica.  It is simply an entrance to the courtyard, on the other side of the wall.  The church is actually at the far end of the courtyard.  Above the portal of the street façade, there is a representation of one of the relics that were kept here: the Mandylion, a piece of cloth with an imprint that Christ made of his face, and which he sent to King Abgar of Edessa.  The four large statues, we see at the top of the structure, represent the following: Pope San Silvestro, by Lorenzo Ottoni; Pope Santo Stefano, by Michelangelo Borgognone; Santa Clara, by Giuseppe Mazzoni; and San Francesco, by Vincenzo Felice.  The campanile dates from 1198.

The walls of the courtyard are lined with fragments of ancient Christian, and pagan monuments.  These were all found in the early 1900s, during the construction of the post office next door.

We did not get a chance to explore much of the interior of the basilica, as it was not long after we entered that a mass was beginning, and so, we left, choosing to visit again another time.

That night, we headed down to the Circo Massimo area, to meet some friends for dinner, at Osteria Circo.  I highly recommend this restaurant, when in Rome.  The location is great, being right across the street from the famous Circus Maximus.  The food was delicious!

Next up: A visit to a modern art museum!

Note: This blog is written in English, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any translation that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Rome, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!