founded in 308 by Constantine, in the place where was the cemetery of
S. Cyriaca, which contained the body of S. Lorenzo. It was enlarged
and restored at different periods. Finally, in 1864, Pius IX. caused
the architect Vespignani to make great improvements, and it was then
that the column of red granite with the statue of the martyr was
placed in the adjacent square.
The poet Bishop Vida describes the martyrdom of S. Lawrence, and thus
foretells his monument:--
"As circling years revolve, the day shall come
When Troy's great progeny, imperial Rome,
To the blest youth, who, filled with holy pride,
Tyrants, and flames, and bitter death defied,
Shall build full many an altar, many a shrine,
And grace his sepulchre with rites divine."
Under the colonnade, supported by six Ionic columns, and adorned with
frescoes, are two sarcophagi with bas-reliefs; also some curious
frescoes relating to the soul of the Saxon count Henry. The interior
is divided into three aisles by twenty-two columns, the greater part
in Oriental granite. The paving recalls the style of the basilicæ of
the primitive times. The great aisle was painted, by order of Pius
IX., by Cesare Fracassini; in it are two pulpits of marble. A double
staircase of marble conducts to that part of the Basilica
Constantiniana which by Honorius III. was converted into the
presbytery. It is decorated at the upper end by twelve columns of
violet marble, which rise from the level of the primitive basilica
beneath it. At the end is the ancient pontifical seat, adorned with
mosaic and precious marbles. The papal altar is under a canopy in the
Byzantine style. The pavement of the presbytery is worthy of
attention. Descending to the confessional, which is under the high
altar, we find the tomb of the martyred saints--Lawrence, Stephen, and
Justin. Pius IX. is interred here. Returning to the church by the
staircase on the left, we enter the sacristy, where is the altar of
the Holy Sacrament, with a picture by E. Savonanzio, representing S.
Cyriaca, who is having the martyrs buried. Close by is the ROMAN
CEMETERY, opened in 1834. The frescoes here are worth seeing, as well
as the different monuments.