About The Basilica of Saint Praxedes:
The Basilica of Santa Prassede (Latin: Basilica Sanctae Praxedis, Italian: Basilica di Santa Prassede all’Esquillino) is a Byzantine-styl church, located in Rome’s Monti district, near the larger Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It’s dedicated to Saint Praxedes, a second-century Christian figure said to be the daughter of a Roman senator named Pudens, who, along with her sister Pudentiana, cared for persecuted Christians during the Roman Empire.
The church has roots going back to at least the fifth century, but the current structure was largely commissioned by Pope Paschal I in 817 AD. He built it to house the relics of Praxedes and Pudentiana, after transiting their relics from the catacombs.
What makes Santa Prassede stand out are its stunning 9th-century Byzantine-style mosaics, especially in the apse and the Chapel of Saint Zeno.
In the apse, you’ll see Christ flanked by Saints Peter and Paul, who present Praxedes and Pudentiana to God, with Pope Paschal I depicted holding a model of the church—his square halo indicating he was alive when it was made.
The Chapel of Saint Zeno, built as a funerary space for Paschal’s mother Theodora, is covered in intricate mosaics, often called a “jewel box” for its vivid colors and detail.
Another notable feature is a relic said to be part of the column where Jesus was scourged, brought to the church in 1223, though its authenticity is debated.
The church’s layout reflects early Christian basilicas: a central nave with side aisles, separated by columns, leading to a triumphal arch and apse. Its exterior is modest, but inside (like many churches in Rome), it’s a time capsule of medieval art and devotion. Since 1198, it’s been cared for by the Vallombrosian Benedictine monks.
Traveling to The Basilica of Saint Praxedes:
Address: Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 488 2456