Church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola

The Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola is one of the oldest and most evocative places of worship in Rome, located on the Tiber Island. Founded in the 10th century by Emperor Otto III, the basilica is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. The basilica was built on the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, making this place a symbol of healing and spirituality through the centuries. The facade of the basilica, restored in the 17th century, is characterized by a simple Romanesque beauty. The interior of the church, on the other hand, is richly decorated with frescoes, mosaics, and precious marbles. Of particular interest is the crypt, which houses the relics of Saint Bartholomew. The crypt is a place of great devotion, visited by pilgrims from all over the world. An interesting anecdote concerns the red granite column located in the center of the square in front of the basilica. According to tradition, this column was erected to celebrate the return of the relics of Saint Bartholomew to Rome after being taken away during the crusades.