Santa Maria delle Rose (8th century)

Image courtesy of Photoroma

The church, originally Santa Maria Minore (to distinguish it from Santa Maria Maggiore), is first documented in 1198, when it belonged to San Rufino.  However, it was already ancient at this date and might have been built (or even rebuilt) in the Carolingian reconstruction of the city in the late 8th century. 

The church, like the adjoining buildings, stands on foundations provided by the Roman terrace behind the Temple of Minerva, and is therefore sometimes called Santa Maria del Sopramura.

The double-vaulted arch adjoining the church was built with blocks that were probably taken from a Roman temple that originally stood on the site. 

The side door to the church under the first arch also has early medieval reliefs.
[ Refer to the fresco of the Madonna and Child (late 12th century) in a niche [where ???]  on the exterior wall].

The interior of the church was remodelled in the early 18th century, and an inscription on the facade records that Bishop Marco Palmerini re-consecrated it in 1726.   The early medieval reliefs that surround the inscription probably date to the original construction.

The church is now deconsecrated and served for a period as a cinema.  However, the interior has been recently restored, and it now houses exhibitions. 

[Note the frescoes (1618) [subject ???] in the apse.]

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