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Mausoleum of Santa Costanza

Circular mausoleum at Via Nomentana 349, next to the basilica of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura. It was built in the early 4th century and is regarded as one of the most important monuments of late antique architecture. Its plan, made up of concentric circular spaces, draws on Roman temples and on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The central dome is 22.50 metres in diameter and rests on twelve pairs of granite columns; twelve arched windows light the central area. The vault of the ambulatory preserves 4th-century mosaics with geometric motifs, fruit, flowers, peacocks, doves and grape-harvest scenes, among the oldest monumental Christian mosaics in Rome. The neighbouring basilica was founded in 324 over the catacombs where the relics of Saint Agnes lie.

Things to do at Mausoleum of Santa Costanza: 3 missions

• Find the grape-harvest mosaics in the ambulatoryWalk round the ambulatory looking upwards until you find the grape-harvest scenes among the geometric patterns.
• Spot the peacocks and dovesAmong the mosaics on the vault, look for the peacocks and doves amid the branches laden with fruit.
• Count the pairs of columns under the domeStand in the centre and count the pairs of granite columns that support the 22.50-metre dome; look at the windows.

Near Mausoleum of Santa Costanza

Source: Web oficial - Turismo Roma