The first church built, in the time of Constantine, to commemorate the
martyrdom of S. Paul. It was destroyed by fire on July 15, 1823; its
restoration was immediately commenced, and it was reopened in 1854 by
Pio Nono. The festa days are January 25th, June 30th, and December
28th. The principal entrance towards the Tiber is still unfinished.
Before the Reformation it was under the protection of the kings of
England. It is the finest of Roman churches, and the visitor cannot
fail to be charmed with its beauty; it is one vast hall of marble,
with eighty Corinthian pillars forming the nave, reflected in the
marble pavement. The grand triumphal arch which separates the nave
from the transept is a relic of the old basilica; and the mosaic,
Christ blessing in the Greek manner, with the twenty-four elders, is
of the fifth century, given by Placidia, sister of Honorius, in 440.
The mosaic of the tribune was erected by Pope Honorius III., 1216-27;
it has been restored since the fire. On either side are statues of S.
Peter and S. Paul; around the church, above the columns, are portraits
of the popes, from S. Peter, in mosaics. The altar canopy is supported
by four pillars of Oriental alabaster, given by Mehemet Ali, Pasha of
Egypt. A marble staircase leads to the subterranean chapel, where are
preserved the relics of the martyrs Paul and Timothy. The altars at
each end of the transept are of malachite, given by the Czar of
Russia. The painted windows are worthy of attention, as also a
beautiful alabaster candelabrum saved from the fire. The walls and
numerous chapels are adorned with paintings and statues of the present
day, giving a good idea of the actual state of art in Rome. By
applying for the key in the sacristy, visitors can see the beautiful
court of the thirteenth century, which will fully repay inspection.
Prudentius, who saw the original basilica in its glory, thus describes
it:--
"Imperial splendour all the roof adorns;
Whose vaults a monarch built to God. and graced
With golden pomp the vast circumference.
With gold the beams he covered, that within
The light might emulate the beams of morn.
Beneath the glittering ceiling pillars stood
Of Parian stone, in fourfold ranks disposed:
Each curving arch with glass of various dye
Was decked; so shines with flowers the painted mead
In spring's prolific day."
_Passio Beat. Apost._
This description will apply equally well to the present basilica. The
church is 396 feet long from the steps of the tribune; width of aisle
and nave, 222 feet.
The façade of the basilica, the upper part of which has lately been
uncovered, is toward the Tiber; it consists of a beautiful mosaic
which has taken thirteen years to complete, and is the finest
production of the Vatican manufactory. The whole is surmounted by a
cross, under which are the words _Spes Unica_; below it is our Lord
enthroned, with SS. Peter and Paul on either side below the steps of
his throne. A scene symbolic of the New Testament is below. A rock
occupies the centre, from which flow the four rivers of the
Apocalypse; on the summit is the Lamb supporting the cross. The cities
of Jerusalem and Bethlehem are on each side, whilst flocks of sheep
between the palm-trees are symbolic of the apostolic college. Below,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel typify the Old Testament. The
whole, a triangle, is bordered with a mosaic of fruit and foliage.
_At the back of the church is_