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The Basilica of St Mary in Domnica was built in ancient times, close to the barracks of the Fifth Cohort of the Roman Vigiles on the Caelian Hill. The basilica is mentioned in the records of a synod of Pope Symmachus in AD 499. In 678, it was one of seven churches assigned to deacons by Pope Agatho. The basilica was rebuilt from 818 to 822 by Pope Paschal I and included mosaic decoration. The Medici family extensively modified the interior in the 16th century, because some of them were the cardinal holders of the archdeaconate through much of that century. The Medici coat of arms adorns the center of the coffered wood-carved ceiling. In 1513, Cardinal Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, shortly before he became Pope Leo X, added the facade portico with Tuscan columns and the fountain. The facade of the basilica is in the Renaissance style and has a porch with five arches separated by travertine pilasters, with two square and one round window. The interior of the basilica retains its 9th-century plan and consists of a nave and two lateral aisles of equal length and separated by 18 granite columns which were spolia from an ancient temple and crowned with Corinthian capitals. The triumphal arch at the apse is flanked by two porphyry columns. The mosaics of the apse from the 9th century depict Christ with two angels, and the twelve Apostles, with Moses and Elijah depicted underneath. In the semi-dome, Pope Paschal (with a square halo) kissing the foot of the Blessed Virgin Mary, vested as a Byzantine noblewoman, seated on a throne with the Christ Child, and surrounded by a multitude of angels. 
 St Mary in Domnica Exterior Views 
St Mary in Domnica Interior Views The Minor Basilica of St Mary in Domnica alla Navicella, in Rome, Italy, is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The appellation "in Domnica" has been differently explained. One interpretation is the derivation from "dominicum" ("of the Lord"), and by extension "church". Another interpretation is that it refers to the name of Cyriaca, a Christian woman who resided nearby and whose name denotes "belonging to the Lord": "Dominica" in Latin. A third interpretation is that the name derives from the Latin phrase in dominica (praedia) ("on Imperial property"). The appellation "alla Navicella" denotes "near the little ship" and refers to the sculpture of a Roman ship that has been in this location since ancient times, possibly as a votive offering to an ancient temple, and which Pope Leo X turned into a fountain (Fontana della Navicella) in front of the church. Reference: 'Fontana della Navicella, Rome' on Wikipedia.org 'Santa Maria in Domnica' on Wikipedia.org All Photographs are from Commons.WikiMedia.org 
 Christmas 2005 - Mary & Baby Jesus 1319 (2005) Christmas 2007 - Mary & Baby Jesus by Giuseppe Cali 1371 (2007) Christmas 2009 - Mary & Jesus by Francisco Melanzio 1432 (2009) Christmas 2010 - Mary & Baby Jesus by Romanian Gheorghe Tattarasco 1458 (2010) Apostleship of the Sea Foundation - 100th Anniversary; Virgin Mary & Infant Jesus 1747a (2020) The Renaissance Pope - Pope Leo X 1540 (2013) |
