Mausoleum of St. Costanza

Constantine built the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza in Rome, a beautiful example of early Christian architecture in Rome, for his daughter Constantia (also known as Constantina or Costanza), who died in 354 A.D. in Bithynia. Also Helena, another Constantine's daughters, buried in the mausoleum after she had died in Gaul. The circular building (in the tradition of Roman mausoleums) was later dedicated as a church to St. Costanza by Pope Alexander IV (1254). Twelve pairs of granite columns support the dome. In the interior spaces you still may see on the vault a well preserved IV century mosaic with geometric motifs that describes Bacchus myths and early Christian beliefs. Opposite to the entrance, a large purple sarcophagus is set in a niche; it is but a copy of the original sarcophagus that held Helena's body, today conserved in the Vatican Museums. Constantia's sarcophagus is believed to be the porphyry one in the left transept of St Peter's Basilica. Notwithstanding periodical restoration works, the mausoleum still holds its IV century charm.

mausoleo di s. costanza
by aldair

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