Rome: The Basilica of Saint Bartholomew
One of the more interesting Churches in Rome (and one we highly recommend) lies on an island in the Tiber River. This was actually one of the first areas of Rome to be inhabited and during the time of the Roman Empire contained a temple to the God Aesculapius. After the fall of the Empire, it lay in ruins until the year 997 A.D., when the Basilica was built by the German Emperor Otto III to honor two saints: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle and the martyr Adalbert.
About Saint Bartholomew:
Bartholomew was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. Not much is known of his origins other than scholars believe he was from Cana in Galilee, and is the same person called Nathaniel. In the Bible we see where Jesus complimented him by saying, ““Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” (John 1:47)’
Bartholomew served as a missionary to Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia (in modern Iran), Lycaonia (in modern Turkey), and Armenia. The apostle is said to have been martyred by flaying and beheading at the command of the Armenian king Astyages.
Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of leatherworkers, bookbinders, plasterers, butchers, tanners, and shoemakers.
About the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew in Rome:
The Basilica of Saint Bartholomew contains the body of Saint Bartholomew under the main altar. This alone would make the Basilica noteworthy; but equally important is the fact that it contains many works of art, including the high altar itself, made from a basin that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire.
But then, there are many churches in Rome with beautiful works of art…..so, what makes this one so special?
Well, in addition to the two martyrs mentioned above, it contains items related to recent martyrs for the Faith..those in the 20th & 21st centuries.
Relics of Martyrs in the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew in Rome:
In 1999 Pope John Paul II established a commission “New Martyrs“, which was to investigate the Christian martyrs of the twentieth century and it was dedicated by him in 2000. And it is this that makes it one of Rome’s most unique churches.
Although we often hear of the early martyrs, there is no doubt that the past century has witnessed hundred of thousands of Martyrs for the faith. And, unfortunately, that list continues to grow daily.
There are six chapels dedicated to these martyrs: four geographical locations throughout the world plus two historical chapels: one dedicated to those killed during the Nazi regime, and one to those martyred under Communism.
Photos courtesy Robert Bartone
The Basilica contains many articles of these modern-day martyrs of the Catholic Church, some of which are shown in the photos above. Among them are some relics relating to Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest killed by the Communist authorities in 1984 and Cardinal Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo, shot by members of a Mexican drug cartel in 1993.
A relatively new addition to those listed above is that of Sister Dorothy Stang, a U.S. member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, gunned down in the Amazon 20 years ago. One of her sweaters was placed Jan. 10 on the altar here on January 10, 2025. Dorothy Stang was sent on mission to the Brazilian Amazon in 1966 and worked closely with the Brazilian bishops’ Pastoral Land Commission in favor of land rights for the poor and for sustainable development in the region. The work she did angered many large landowners, and she had received death threats. A rancher and three others were convicted of plotting her death and killing her in 2005.
You can read the story of Sister Dorothy Stang’s martrydom here.
You cannot help but be moved, saddened or inspired (perhaps all three) as you venture through the church.
It is a reminder that many have suffered and died for their faith in the 20th Century, and continue to do so in the 21st Century even as you read this page.
The Memorial of the New Martyrs is taken care of by the Community of Sant’Egidio, who also painted the icon on the main altar.
And the body of Saint Bartholomew lies under the main altar.
The community is also involved in ecumenical activities in the Basilica.
Traveling to the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew:
For help finding your way around, we suggest the “Little Black Book of Rome” It is organized by location rather than alphabetically like so many guide books. And we also suggest you carry a “Streetwise Map of Rome” for easy navigating.
Address: Piazza di San Bartolomeo all’Isola, 22, 00186 Roma, Italy
GPS coordinates: 41° 53′ 25.1988” N, 12° 28′ 41.5596” E
Tel: + 39 06/6877973
e-mail: info@sanbartolomeo.org
Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew in Rome