Saint Agnes Outside the Walls

Since the IV century Saint Agnes, a virgin martyr who died under torture at the age of 13, has been a popular saint even though little is known of her life but for the legends related to her short life and martyrdom. It was Constantia, Constantine's daughter, who had the basilica built at the side of St Agnes' tomb in the IV century. Saint Agnes Outside the Walls Basilica is one of the best preserved Byzantine churches in Rome. The mosaic that adorns the apse is a real jewel dating back to the VII century, showing the martyr amid flames with a sword at her feet. We owe to Pope Paul V Borges the ciborium (realized in 1614). Below it there are kilometers of long catacombs on 3 levels (II - IV century). Since the Middle Ages Saint Agnes Outside the Walls has been represented with a lamb because of the similarity of her name with the Latin word for lamb 'agnus'.

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