Reason #5381 to love Rome: San Teodoro church

San Teodoro, RomeThis beautiful church gives its name to a Roman neighborhood – San Teodoro, the neighbohood bordering the edge of the Circus Maximus and the Campidoglio.

The San Teodoro church can be found on the street by the same name. It’s a Greek Orthodox church, nestled at the foot of the Palatine Hill.

The church was originally built in the 6th century, over the ruins of the Horrea Agrippiana, most likely using the form of the circular temple as its foundation.

San Teodoro, RomeIt is said that the old Ancient Roman-era temple was dedicated to Romulus (of Remus and Romulus fame – the founders of Rome), and it is here that the famous statue of the wolf nursing brothers Remus and Romulus was held, before being moved to San Giovanni Laterano in 1471, where it could be viewed in the courtyard.

The statue is now in the Capitoline Museum, with a  copy outside on the piazza.

San Teodoro went through many reconstructions. The look of the church today is due mostly to a project under Pope Clemente XI, under the architect Carlo Fontana (1703-1705), who also created the pretty and peaceful little courtyard in front of the church.

San Teodoro, RomeSan Teodoro was maintained as a Catholic church dedicated to the Saint and Martyr Theodore (Teodoro), who is represented on the ceiling.

On 1 July 2014, the use of the church was given to the Greek Orthodox community in Rome by Pope John Paul II. Today, it is in use as a Greek Orthodox church.

Enjoy your visit to Saint Teodoro, and this idyllic corner of Ancient Rome.

San Teodoro, Rome

1 Comment

  1. […] already written about the church that provides its name to the area. See my earlier post about the Greek Orthodox church of San Teodoro. This church was originally built in teh 6th century, and later expanded in 1453, although it only […]

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