Santi Bonifacio e Alessio
Encyclopedia
The Basilica dei Santi Bonifacio e(d) Alessio is a church on the Aventine Hill
in Rome
, Italy, dedicated to Saint Boniface of Tarsus and Saint Alexius
.
Founded between the 3rd and 4th centuries, it was restored in 1216 by Pope Honorius III
(some columns of his building survive in the present building's eastern apse), in 1582, in the 1750s by Tommaso De Marchis (his main altar survives), and between 1852 and 1860 by the Somaschi. The 16th century style facade, elaborated from the De Marchis phase, is built onto the medieval-style quadriportico.
The church has a Romanesque
campanile
. On the south side of the nave is the funerary monument Eleonora Boncompagni Borghese
of 1693, to a design of Giovan Contini Batiste and in the south transept the Chapel of Charles IV of Spain
, with an icon of the Assumption
of the Madonna dating to 200, thought to have been brought back from the east by St. Alexius. The church also contains the tombstone of Peter Savelli
(of the same family as Honorius).
A Romanesque crypt survives below the church, whose main altar contains relics of St Thomas of Canterbury
. It has 12th century wall fresco
es of the Agnus Dei and symbols of the Four Evangelists
, along with one in the north aisle of "Saint Girolamo Emiliani introducing orphans to the Virgin" by Jean Francois De Troy, and at the end of the aisle "The Holy Steps and the titular church of Saint Alexius" in wood and stucco by Andrea Bergondi.
The basilica has been a cardinal title church from 1587. In 1587 it was called Sant'Alessio. In the nineteenth century the former dedication of the basilica was renewed, so from that time on the official name of the basilica and the cardinal title are Santi Bonifacio e Alessio.
Aventine Hill
The Aventine Hill is one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built. It belongs to Ripa, the twelfth rione, or ward, of Rome.-Location and boundaries:The Aventine hill is the southernmost of Rome's seven hills...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy, dedicated to Saint Boniface of Tarsus and Saint Alexius
Saint Alexius
Saint Alexius or Alexis of Rome or Alexis von Edessa was an Eastern saint whose veneration was later transplanted to Rome, a process facilitated by the fact that, according to the earlier Syriac legend that a "Man of God" of Edessa, Mesopotamia who during the episcopate of Bishop Rabbula lived by...
.
Founded between the 3rd and 4th centuries, it was restored in 1216 by Pope Honorius III
Pope Honorius III
Pope Honorius III , previously known as Cencio Savelli, was Pope from 1216 to 1227.-Early work:He was born in Rome as son of Aimerico...
(some columns of his building survive in the present building's eastern apse), in 1582, in the 1750s by Tommaso De Marchis (his main altar survives), and between 1852 and 1860 by the Somaschi. The 16th century style facade, elaborated from the De Marchis phase, is built onto the medieval-style quadriportico.
The church has a Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
campanile
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
. On the south side of the nave is the funerary monument Eleonora Boncompagni Borghese
Borghese
Borghese is the surname of a family of Italian noble and papal background, originating as the Borghese or Borghesi in Siena, where they came to prominence in the 13th century holding offices under the commune. The head of the family, Marcantonio, moved to Rome in the 16th century and there,...
of 1693, to a design of Giovan Contini Batiste and in the south transept the Chapel of Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV was King of Spain from 14 December 1788 until his abdication on 19 March 1808.-Early life:...
, with an icon of the Assumption
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
of the Madonna dating to 200, thought to have been brought back from the east by St. Alexius. The church also contains the tombstone of Peter Savelli
Savelli
thumb|300px|The Coat of Arms of the Savelli over a wall of the church of [[Santa Maria in Aracoeli]], [[Rome]].The Savelli were a rich and influential Roman aristocratic family who rose to prominence in the 13th century and became extinct in the main line with Giulio Savelli .The family, who held...
(of the same family as Honorius).
A Romanesque crypt survives below the church, whose main altar contains relics of St Thomas of Canterbury
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
. It has 12th century wall fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es of the Agnus Dei and symbols of the Four Evangelists
Four Evangelists
In Christian tradition the Four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four Gospel accounts in the New Testament that bear the following titles:*Gospel according to Matthew*Gospel according to Mark...
, along with one in the north aisle of "Saint Girolamo Emiliani introducing orphans to the Virgin" by Jean Francois De Troy, and at the end of the aisle "The Holy Steps and the titular church of Saint Alexius" in wood and stucco by Andrea Bergondi.
The basilica has been a cardinal title church from 1587. In 1587 it was called Sant'Alessio. In the nineteenth century the former dedication of the basilica was renewed, so from that time on the official name of the basilica and the cardinal title are Santi Bonifacio e Alessio.