Church of San Cesareo de Appia

The church, also known as San Cesareo in Palatio, is located in the Celio district, near the Porta San Sebastiano. Erected in the eighth century on the remains of pre-existing Roman structures dating back to the second century AD. and visible today in the basement, it is also called by medieval sources San Cesareo in Turrim, due to the presence, in the vicinity, of some high medieval tower. The name of San Cesareo in Palatio dates back to the sixteenth century and this in the past created confusion with the church of the same name in the Campitelli district.

Over time the church underwent various renovations, changing its function several times: in the 14th century it was entrusted to the Crociferi Fathers to found a hospital which gave asylum to pilgrims who entered the nearby Porta San Sebastiano; later they were replaced by the Benedictine nuns. Completely restored in the 16th century by the Cavalier d'Arpino, it was then entrusted to the Somascan Fathers.

The church has a simple façade with an access door preceded by a porch with granite columns. The interior, with a single nave, has an elegant ceiling with gilt squares on a blue background and the insignia of Pope Clement VIII. On the side walls, between the windows, there are mosaics by Cavalier d'Arpino, with scenes from the life of San Cesareo. In the apse a mosaic depicting God the Father among the angels. The altar, the ambo, the chair, the barriers of the presbytery are architectural elements that belonged to the Basilica of San Giovanni: they are mainly composed of heterogeneous elements dating back to the thirteenth century.

Photo credits: courtesy of MIC official site