Basilica di San Clemente: Rome on Three Levels
Basilica di San Clemente in Rome is a church built on three layers of history: a glittering 12th-century basilica sits over a 4th-century church, which sits over a 1st-century Roman house and a temple of Mithras. You descend through nearly two thousand years in a single visit, a short walk from the Colosseum.
Ninfamania · CC BY 4.0In Hidden Gems in Rome · Celio · Last updated 2 June 2026
- Three eras of Rome stacked in one building, from the 12th century down to the 1st
- A radiant 12th-century apse mosaic, the Triumph of the Cross, at street level
- An underground 4th-century church with early medieval frescoes
- A Roman house, a Mithraic temple and the sound of an ancient stream at the lowest level
The church on three levels
At street level, the present Basilica di San Clemente dates from the early 12th century. It is worth a visit in its own right for the golden apse mosaic known as the Triumph of the Cross, the inlaid Cosmati floor and the frescoes by Masolino in the Chapel of Saint Catherine.
A staircase then leads down to the original 4th-century basilica, buried for centuries and rediscovered in the 19th. Its walls carry faded early medieval frescoes that tell the story of Saint Clement. Below that again lies a 1st-century Roman level, with the rooms of a Roman house and a small temple to the god Mithras, where you can still hear water running through an ancient channel.
Why San Clemente is special
Nowhere else in Rome makes the city's layered history this literal. Most sites show you one period. Here you physically walk down through three, each quieter and cooler than the last, until you reach the Mithraeum far below the modern street.
The basilica has been cared for by Irish Dominican friars for centuries, and the lower levels stay blissfully calm even when the Colosseum nearby is heaving. On a hot Roman afternoon, the cool underground is a relief as much as a revelation.
Planning your visit
The upper basilica is free to enter and observe. The excavated lower levels are ticketed, and that ticket is what unlocks the descent through the centuries, so it is well worth it.
Allow about an hour. Photography is restricted on the lower levels to protect the frescoes, so plan to simply look. The site sits on Via Labicana, a few minutes on foot from the Colosseum.
Know before you go
- Buy the ticket for the lower levels, the descent is the whole point of the visit.
- Photography is not allowed on the excavated levels, so just take it in.
- Bring a light layer, the underground stays cool even in summer.
Where Basilica di San Clemente is
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Basilica di San Clemente: frequently asked questions
What is special about the Basilica di San Clemente in Rome?
It is a church built on three levels: a 12th-century basilica over a 4th-century church over a 1st-century Roman house and a temple of Mithras. You descend through almost two thousand years of history in one visit.
How much does San Clemente cost?
The upper 12th-century basilica is free to enter. The excavated lower levels require a ticket, which is what lets you walk down to the early church, the Roman house and the Mithraeum.
What are the opening hours of San Clemente?
It is generally open Monday to Saturday from about 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00. Times can change for services and holidays, so check before visiting.
How do you get to Basilica di San Clemente?
It is about a five-minute walk east of the Colosseum on Via Labicana. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo on line B.
Can you take photos inside San Clemente?
Photography is restricted on the lower archaeological levels to protect the ancient frescoes. You can usually look freely, but plan to leave the camera away below ground.
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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: San Clemente al Laterano.