SANTA MARY IN COSMEDIN
A bit of history

The church was once located between many ancient buildings. In the 6th century, an important trading center developed at this point, where a church could not be missing.

It was built around the year 580. Thus, the original church once stood next to the temples of Fortuna, Vesta and Hercules. Important antique sewers run under it – that’s why the Bocca della Verità was also found here – and some antique columns are even integrated in the nave.

The church was initially called Santa Maria in Schola Graeca. Because this is a Melkite Greek Catholic Church. This belongs to the Catholic Eastern Church and has special rites, which you can also watch at a mass on Sundays around 10.30 a.m.

In 772, the church was expanded as the Greek community also grew. For this purpose, the temple of Hercules Pompeianus was demolished, and the church was extended by 18 meters and expanded by two side aisles.

In 1718 the church, like so many other churches in Rome, was baroqueised. It received a new facade. In 1899, however, these changes were reversed – fortunately, one has to say here. This gives us the impression today that nothing in and about it has changed since the 12th century.