You would never know that behind this ruined facade lies a vast space that was once the Baths of Diocletian. These spaces had successfully resisted Chritianization and went into disrepair when the vandals destroyed the aqueducts. The ruins were worked into a church by Michelangelo from 1563 to 64 in a Greek key plan. But the transept which held the bathing pool is so dominant that the church feels as if it has a transverse nave.
The basilica is dedicated to Christian martyrs, known and unknown.
There is no real facade as the church is built into the ruins.
The main altar across from the entrance was also the personal monument to Pius IV. He's buried in the main chapel
The dome at the entrance with a side ceiling
Just a little cieling
this would be a transitional arch into the main space
One of the two side chapels. To give you an idea of scale, those candlesticks are about 8'tall
Looking at the floor
The scale of this space is so vast, that I thought the best way to show it is a short video. Remember these were thermal baths. I especially love that they retain their volumes and the original Roman columns.
The vaulted ceilings of the main part or the building
The walls outside
The view from the fountain in front of the church at La Republica.
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