San Clemente

Just two blocks from the Colosseum, San Clemente is a beautiful basilica, famous for housing the remnants of ancient Roma and another San Clemente church just beneath the building. San Clemente was built in the 12th century inadvertently on top of a San Clemente church from the 4th century. Walking into the church, I was amazed by extravagant murals and paintings on the walls, gold on the ceilings and colorful marble tiles on the floor. In the 4th century church, I walked through dark tunnels and passages as I made my way down to ancient Roma from before the first century. There are paths that were once streets, alleyways, and homes. The amount of Roma that is still standing and hasn't completely vanished over time is astonishing. It is definitely a site you don't want to miss.