mosaic.rome

a truly off the beaten track, one of the almost unnoticeable basilica and catacomb in rome out of the 300 plus churches in the city.

[by the way he said i dressed like a catholic nun]

the entrance to see the mosaic and the passage descending to the actual church is quite a dramatic experience. firstly as it is an off the tourist spot, so it was quiet, empty as we made our approach. then suddenly there is this 'vampire' sort of organ music playing. we both were rather shocked and terrified as there's no body at that time...

saint agnese fuori le mura is a pristine, a real gem of the early christian church with the byzantine mosaic intact. the church is almost empty with just another german couple and a gentleman playing the organ when we made the entrance.

the original mosaic is quite well preserved, gold and glitters. the story behind this immortalised saint is a rather sad one

or rather an unbelievable legend which makes me think if the story of saint agnese is more of a legend or man told story than a real history. i love this undiscovered church though...

the ceiling, the deco is added at a much later time...

from here we went to search for another infamous church with mosaic. we took the metro to vittoro emmualle station (a sort of china town area). there are many chinese run shops scattered around a few blocks,the area is run down, like an abundant area, full of dirt, dust and graffiti with many asian ethnic walking around.

we walk towards santa maria maggiore and the santa prassede church is standing quietly at the corner next to the main square where santa maria maggiore located.

the marble floor is superb and beautiful

set aside the china town story, the mosaic is quite impressive, the church a lot more bigger and grander compare to the humble saint agnese church we visited in the morning

the mosaic is also a lot more avant grande, mosaic bust of Christ with four angels

mosaics of the apse and triumphal anchor, lavish should i say....

don't get us wrong, we are no pilgrimage nor we are catholic of that sort, we are here just to appreciate the beauty of the mosaic as a piece of art, a piece of art from there early christian era with byzantine influence... just a chase of rome mosaic beauty...