The Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian is located in the very heart of ancient and modern Rome. It forms part of an imposing archeological complex in the midst of an extensive natural park which recalls so many historical events and memories.

The building was originally a Roman structure - it's purpose its not certain, but it belonged to Vespasian's Forum of Peace, and may have been one of the libraries of that forum.

It was rebuilt and consecrated as a church in the 6th century, probably by Pope St Felix IV in 527.

The circular structure known as the Temple of Romulus in the Forum Romanum is incorporated in the church.

In front of the present entrance on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, rose the Forum of Vespasian (71-75 AD) and the Temple of Peace; to the right  was the Velian hill, then the Domus Aurea or Golden House of Nero (64 AD), and the Coliseum. To the left, was the Forum of Nerva or  Transitorio (96-98 AD), the Forum of Augustus with the Temple of Mars (31-2 BC), the Forum of Trajan (98-117 AD) with its famous Column, the Ulpian Basilica and the Trajan Markets (107-113 AD).

Behind the Basilica, whose original entrance opened out onto the Via Sacra,  one can admire the Roman Forum with its many monuments and the Palatine Hill with the palaces of' the Caesars, the Arch of Titus (81 AD), the Arch of Constantine (315 AD), the ColiseumI ( 72-80 AD), the Temple of  Venus and Rome (46 AD, renovated in 121-136), the Basilica of Maxentius (306-312 AD), the Temple of the Dioscuri (484 BC), the House of the Vestal Virgins reconstructed in 64 AD), the Julian Basilica and the Forum of Caesar (51-44 BC), the Rostrum (44 BC), the Temple of Saturn (497 BC) and the Campidoglio, the Arch of Septimus Severus (203 AD), the Curia of the Senate (often rebuilt and later even transformed into the Church of  St. Adrian), the Mamertime Prison (from the Republican period), the Emilian Basilica (I 79 BC), the Temple of Antonio and Faustina (161 AD), and the Via Sacra itself.

This fascinating setting recalls events and characters of the last 2500 years, not only those concerning Rome, but of the entire Roman Empire, that is, the whole ancient world.

Click on thumbnails
to enlarge pictures

Originally, the external wall was clad with about 150 marble slabs incised with a map of Rome at the time of the Severi (3rd century AD) known as the Forma Urbis.

When entering the church, you pass through the 17^th century cloister of the adjoining convent. The frescoes are by Francesco Allegrini.

On the left is an ancient Severian brick wall pitted with holes where the marble facing had been attached and the signs of many repairs are evident. In the years 205-208, Septimus Severus had the Forma Urbis, or map of Rome attached to this wall.

After passing through the marble entrance, there is a Roman wall of great stone blocks wrapped with lead bands, frames and windows. On this side, in fact, seven meters lower down was the entrance into the Bibliotheca Pacis, introduced by a formal arcade.

THE ANCIENT BRONZE
DOOR OF THE BASILICA

The bronze door , along with its framework, had been removed from a building dating from the time of Septimus Severus, demolished by the Emperor Carino in 283 AD, and later transferred here.

During the Barberini reconstruction, the doorway and surrounding structure were raised and centered in the basilica. In the years 1879-1880, the door with its decorations and doorway was again reset at its original level under the direction of R. Lanciani.

THE FRIARS OF THE THIRD ORDER REGULAR OF ST. FRANCIS

The new Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian was entrusted to a College of Canons.

However, by the start of the 1500s, the officiating Canons were reduced to only six in number and over the years the inconveniences of the place had increased (rundown dwelling space, little income, humidity, malaria, etc.).

To ensure a dignified service worthy of a Basilica-Shrine, the Franciscan Friars TOR were appointed to take charge in 1503. In 1512, this appointment was made permanent by a decree of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, later Pope Paul III.

The TOR Friars will be the protagonists of extraordinary works: besides their pastoral and liturgical ministry to the faithful, they would carry out the raising of the Basilica and the construction of an adjacent convent which was functional and provided ample space.

In the years 1592-1605, while the work on the Felician basilica continued and the side chapels were constructed at the direction of Clement VIII, Fr. Bernardine Sabbia constructed a building above the sacristy and a refectory to the right of the present entrance. (This was incorporated into the wing built by Fr. Giovanni Parisi in 1946.)

The plans for a new convent, designed by Orazio Torriani, bears the date of May 10, 1626. The work was carried out in the years 1626-1632 under the direction of Luici Arrigucci at the same time as the raising of the Basilica (1626-1638).

The religious community was disbanded during the civil suppression by a decree of December 16, 1873. However, a few friars managed to stay on to provide pastoral care at the basilica until the storm had passed. For centuries, the Basilica and Convent has been the locale for the General Curia of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. Presently, there are a number of TOR Friars from various nations in residence here, dedicated to the administration of the Order, to pastoral activity and to studies.