The basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio is a 5th century Catholic place of worship in Rome on the Caelian Hill. S.Stefano Rotondo, one of the oldest Christian churches, was erected at the time of Pope Simplicio, between 468 and 483. The basilica, built with bare materials, originally had a circular plan but was divided into three concentric naves. The interior is simply ethereal, harmonious, impalpable, perfect in its symmetry of concentric circles. The sun’s rays filter through the windows, illuminate the dust, and pour onto the white lilies and the grey granite columns. On the walls, on the other hand, there is a cycle by Pomarancio that describes the innumerable ways in which a poor Christian can be martyred. Amputations, boiling cauldrons, torture machines and blood flowing in spurts.
