ARCH161: "Basilica San Clemente"

Basilica San Clemente

San Clemente built in 1100 AD is a beautiful however unremarkable basilica located in Rome. When I say that please don’t take that personally, but Rome and Europe for that matter have so many architectural wonders that it wouldn’t be considered even in the top 100 must see sights. What brings the tourist packing in to this relic, is also the reason why I am writing about it today. San Clemente was built on top of a fourth century church, and before that a 2000 year old pagan temple. I wish I had come up with this, but in the spirit of Italy, it is warmly referred to as architectural “Lasagna,” because of its layers of history. It is a curiosity that as human beings we flock to the to the San Clemente Basilica not to admire the well kept church on top, but to dwell in its dark cavern like structure underneath.

This dark place where your guide has to point out the stone couch used during pagan feasts (the cult of Mitharas) is pretty much the selfi highlight of the tour. In fact a quick reference to Instagram as a social barometer, will confirm that the original church on top is of very little interest to the masses. What is the significance for architects, specifically what can my fellow architects in training learn from this. If you come across an existing structure, don’t be afraid to incorporate it into your new design. Don’t let your ego, tell you that you need a clean slate to achieve your artistic integrity. Leave room for the past in your new designs/renovations, maybe it is something simple like a vintage telephone switch board, a horse stall, a coal chimney, a dumb waiter, or an old stone well in the basement. These might be the real treasures you have failed to notice.