Saints and Relics Saturday: The Head of John the Baptist

The Basilica of San Silvestro in Capite boasts the head of St. John the Baptist, on display to the left of the entrance. This attribution is likely inaccurate and results from confusion with another St. John from Rome. With that said, this delightful church is worth your time if you are in the area. (Given its location in the northern part of the city, it is a place where you might likely pass, but not visit.) Speaking from experience, the piazza out front provides a wonderful place to take a break from the crowds and enjoy a gelato. What makes this basilica on the piazza magnificent is that, once you pass through the door from the piazza you will find yourself in a very soothing courtyard before you enter the church proper. The walls are a calming orange, and embedded in the walls are marble inscriptions taken from excavations. This may not figure high on your itinerary, but if you are in the area it would be a shame to miss this! Don't forget to pay your respects to St. John.

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Are you interested in seeing this?

• Yes!
• If there is time.
• It doesn't really call to me.

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P.S. Ever get confused by the inscriptions you see in Rome?

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