Santa Francesca Romana - Roman Forum, Rome - Medieval Mosaics above Bernini’s Confession

The high altar of Santa Francesca Romana combines a luminous 12th-century apse mosaic with the sculptural Confession designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The high altar of the Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana is framed by richly coloured marble, sculpture and a magnificent 12th-century mosaic filling the apse above. Beneath the altar stands the Confession designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, its sculptural group marking the resting place of Saint Frances of Rome. The medieval mosaic depicts the Madonna and Child enthroned among Saints James, John, Peter and Andrew, their figures standing against a brilliant golden background. The combination of medieval mosaic work with later Baroque sculpture and elaborate polychrome marble decoration reveals the many centuries of artistic development preserved within this historic church. Originally known as Santa Maria Nova, the basilica stands beside the Roman Forum and near the Temple of Venus and Roma. Since 1352 it has been entrusted to the Benedictine monks of Monte Oliveto. This intimate view of the sanctuary brings together some of the basilica's most important artistic and religious features, from its medieval apse to Bernini's monumental contribution below.