Santi XII Apostoli

Most Roman palazzi have a chapel. The Palazzo Colonna has a basilica: Santi XII Apostoli: Twelve Holy Apostles.

It is one of Bill and my favourite basilicas in Rome.

The roomy, covered, portico is filled with sculpture and inscriptions that reward careful looking.

Bill caught me in action here, with my phone, adding another Roman "Q" to my collection.

We have a Toronto friend who likes "Q's. This one is for her. "Questa" means "this".

There was a basilica here in the 6th century. It got a 15th century makeover and then an 18th century makeover, resulting in the Baroque interior we see today.

We felt a strong religious presence in this church. I was drawn to the first chapel on the right,

with its 15th century Madonna and Child by an artist we don't know: Antoniazzo Romano. The gold ground was intended to invoke a Byzantine icon.

Shrines to Santa Rita are always heartfelt. The strong, personal feeling here pulled Bill and me right in.

The tomb of Pope Clement XIV is Canova's first sculpture in Rome and was instant success. 

A figure of Humility with Meekness at her side.

When you visit, be sure to descend into the crypt below the main altar.

It is filled with early Christian frescos. Here we go.

Not a table of apostles, not a table of saints, it is a table of cloth-makers.

A lovely early Christian shepherd

Here he is.

Detail of a 6th century dolphin.

And these fish still look fresh -- after what? 1,500 years?

Marble steps lead, from the crypt, back to the modern world.