From Roma Termini Bus H takes you to Trastevere (past the Tevere), this is a neighborhood that I've never visited and another rainy day was not going to stop my plans. My goal to day was to visit two basilicas; Santa Maria in Trastevere and Basilica San Paolo.
Santa Maria is the oldest basilica in Rome, dating back to 221, and it was rebuilt by Pope Innocent II in the 12th Century. Well the Pope didn't actually rebuilt the church but you get what I mean. In 1870 the Basilica underwent another renovation by Pope Pius IX. The basilica is decorated by beautiful mosaics and frescoes.
Images of Santa Maria in Trastevere
San Paolo Fuori Le Mura
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is full of history; St. Paul's remains are buried there, Emperor Constantine requested that a church were built over the tomb, at the end of the 4th century a larger church was built in it's place. In 1823 the church was destroyed by fire and later rebuilt in 1854 according to the original design by Pope Pius IX. It was here that Pope Giovanni XXIII announced in 1959 the need for il Concilio Vaticano II. Inside and outside this basilica is magnificent, it's cloister is decorated with ornate columns, the facade has wonderful mosaics, and inside the apse has a mosaic of Cristo Pantocrator. You can also find along the walls medallions with images of all the Popes from Saint Peter to Pope Benedict XVI, and there's a space available for Pope Francesco I...
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