Santi Quattro Coronati: the cloister and the Chapel of St Sylvester
On the Celian Hill, ten minutes' walk from the Colosseum, the basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati looks like a fortress, with towers, a fortified courtyard and thick walls. It has been a convent of cloistered Augustinian nuns since 1564, which explains the short opening hours and rooms that are not open at all times. The church is free to enter; the cloister and the Chapel of St Sylvester open when a nun is available. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. The very old basilica was rebuilt from 1099 on a smaller scale, after the destruction of 1084. It is named after four "crowned" martyrs, who according to tradition were four Roman soldiers.
Highlights
The 13th-century cloister
A small cloister with paired columns, a marble fountain in the middle and a silent garden, a short walk from the noise of the Colosseum. It opens only on certain mornings and afternoons, with no guarantee: ring the bell and ask.
The Chapel of St Sylvester
A 13th-century fresco cycle tells the legend of Pope Sylvester and Constantine's donation to the papacy. The colourful frescoes are remarkably fresh for Rome. Ring the little bell; a nun answers behind the grille and asks how many of you are coming in.
The church and its nave
A low nave with ancient columns, a Cosmatesque floor and a decorated apse. The atmosphere is quiet and rarely crowded, far from the big basilicas.
The Gothic Hall and the Calendar Room
The 14th-century frescoes of the Gothic Hall (found in 1996 under blue plaster) and the painted months of the Calendar Room are not freely open: they can be seen on a guided visit, by reservation.
Hours and prices
Church: free entry during opening hours. Chapel of St Sylvester: Monday to Saturday about 9:30-12:00, and about 16:00-17:30 without guarantee; guides mention about €1 per person, to confirm on site. Cloister: Tuesday to Friday 9:30-12:00, Wednesday and Friday 15:30-17:30 without guarantee. Sunday mass at 11:00.
Practical info
Tips
- Hours depend on the nuns being available: come in the morning and leave some slack. Modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered) and silence is asked. Information from the Rome tourist office, October 2026; convent phone 06 70475427. Combine it with the Basilica of San Clemente and the Celio district. See also: churches to visit in Rome.
How to get there
Via dei Santi Quattro 20, 00184 Rome. Metro Colosseo (line B), then a 10-minute uphill walk along via di San Giovanni in Laterano and via dei Santi Quattro.
Opening hours
Nearby
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