(map) 
As far as paleochristian churches go, Santa Sabina on the Aventine hill is hard to beat. Although heavily restored throughout the ages, it maintains all the characteristics of the earliest churches in Rome.
The layout is the standard converted Roman basilica, basically a covered public space, with its wide central nave and two narrower aisles to the side, separated by a colonnade, apse at one end, and large windows up top. (photo 3) The columns here were supposedly taken from the Temple of Juno, so here too this church, as many others, follows the made-with-scavenged-Roman-bits script. It also keeps the unadorned simplicity of those early churches (most others are extremely decorated), as well as the beautiful and simple original mosaic floor, also rare to see.
Of interest is the 1500 year old cedar door (photo 1), intricately carved and still in incredible shape given its years. In the upper right hand corner is the earliest representation in Rome of the crucifixion.
Not all here is old, early and proto-. Times change and the new works its way into age-old activities. In the photo to the left, the Dominican priest (this is the Order’s founding church) is on his cell phone, ordering a special wax for the marble mosaic floor.
– Contributed by GB (see bio), Editor, Italian Notebook.
What a lovely memory this brings. Our son and his wife were married in Santa Sabina sixteen years ago. It is a beautiful church and it was a beautiful day. Thank you for the memories!
I have been there and it is indeed amazing.
WoW !
What a stunning space in a city filled with them. I imagine the acoustics are extraordinary. Do classical musical groups make use of the church for concerts?
The simplicity of this church is awesome.
Thank you. Beautiful photos. I missed this one on this past trip. Will be sure to include it next time!
Thanks, GB, for such a good piece on a Roman wonder.
Yes, it is true: Roma, non basta una vita…….vero?
What memory place for me were Ispent my yuong life,I was during the grade school across St.Alessio church few steps from Santa Sabina church and two small parks with a fantastic view of Rome and next to the Cavagglieri di Malta, my mother had a storeat foot ofHill and all my ancestors were there and across the Circus Maximun.
When I was in Rome, I was fascinated by the mosaic floors, like this one. I found that they are called Cosmati, by the family who was famous for them. I would love to see more and hear more about the floors. So many of them are similar (sometimes identical) to quilt patterns used in Colonial times and even by the Amish today.
I love your articles GB. Great work. Thanks
Yes so beautiful. I feel like dancing on this wonderful floor and space. Does no one sit down during a service? Pews would certainly destroy the affect.
I could never see too many Italian churches…never.