Going down means going back through the centuries

The wonder of the Basilica of San Clemente is that you visit it by descending through time: every level you reach, as you head down the stairs, drops you into an older era. It is one of the few places on earth where you can literally walk through 2,000 years of history, from the early Middle Ages to pagan Rome, in just a few minutes. Here is how this "layering" works and what you find on each floor.

Level 1 — The medieval basilica (12th century)

The entrance level, the one "at street level," is the medieval basilica, built in the early 12th century. It is the church you see as you walk in: the golden mosaic of the Triumph of the Cross, the Cosmatesque floor, the schola cantorum, the frescoes by Masolino. It would be worth the visit on its own, but it is only the beginning of the descent.

Level 2 — The early Christian basilica (4th century)

Down a flight of stairs you enter the early Christian basilica of the 4th century, built when Christianity had only recently become legal. In use for roughly 700 years, it was buried to make way for the medieval church above. Here you find early medieval frescoes that tell the legend of San Clemente: some of the oldest surviving evidence of Christian painting in Rome.

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Level 3 — The Roman level and the Mithraeum (1st century)

At the deepest level you arrive in 1st-century Rome: Roman buildings, an alleyway, and above all a Mithraeum, the temple of the god Mithras with its carved altar and the vaulted hall used for the mystery rites. Here, in the silence, you can hear the flow of an ancient water spring, still running after two thousand years: the effect is magical and slightly unreal.

Why these levels exist

The layering of San Clemente is a perfect example of how Rome grew on top of itself: ancient buildings, damaged or buried, became the foundations of the new ones. What had lain forgotten underground for centuries was rediscovered from the 19th century onward thanks to the excavations of the Irish Dominican fathers, who brought the entire sequence back to light.

Tips for the descent

  • Take your time: give yourself a moment to "feel" the shift in era at each level.
  • Bring a sweater: underground it stays cool all year round.
  • Listen closely: at the Roman level, listen for the sound of the spring water.
  • No photos: generally forbidden in the excavations (check on site).

Frequently asked questions

How many levels does San Clemente have? Three: the medieval basilica of the 12th century (at street level), the early Christian basilica of the 4th century (below) and the Roman buildings of the 1st century with the Mithraeum (at the deepest level).

How do you move between the levels? Through internal stairs that connect the three floors: from the medieval church you go down to the early Christian basilica and then to the Roman level with the Mithraeum.

Why are there buildings stacked one above the other? Because Rome grew on top of itself: ancient buried buildings became the foundations of the new ones. The excavations by the Irish Dominicans, from the 19th century onward, brought the levels back to light.

What makes the Roman level so special? The Mithraeum (temple of the god Mithras) with its carved altar and, above all, the sound of an ancient water spring that still runs: a unique and atmospheric experience.

Do you need a ticket to go down? Yes: the upper basilica is free, but the descent to the early Christian and Roman levels requires a ticket. See the guide to San Clemente tickets and opening hours.

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Article #336 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026