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What Dominican church in Rome is famous for being built on top of several earlier structures and having an early Christian basilican plan with a rectangular forecourt? This church is famous for the excavations done below the structure.

   S.Croce in Gerusalemme
   S. Maria Maggiore
   S. Clemente
   S. Sabina

Your answer was: S. Clemente.
You are correct!!


Answer: S. Clemente Basicilia is an interesting church both from a study of the structure and diggings that have been done below the surface. Being one of Rome's earliest Chruch structures it has an outdoor rectangular forecourt and also an early basilican plan that grew as Church service development became more formalized. Below the surface, there is a richness of excavation work that has been done over the years with some interesting artifacts uncovered. Care of the church was turned over to the Dominicans in 1645 who service this church today.


S. Clemente
Scott 123 (1949)

See Also
• Joseph N Tyllnda "S. Clemente" The Pilgrim's Guide To Rome's Principal Churches The Liturgical Press copyright 1993
• Sir Banister Fletcher A History Of Architecture Charles Scribner's Sons copyright 1963 pages 254, 255 & 258