Medieval MosaicsRome, S Bartolomeo all'Isola
| Era | 12AD |
|---|---|
| Location | Piazza di San Bartolomeo all'Isola, 22, 00186 Roma RM, Italy |
The church of S Bartolomeo all’Isola is on the island in the middle of the Tiber joined by bridges to both sides of Rome. The church is tenth-century, with lots of later (often horrid) restorations. It contains a fragment of mosaic depicting the head and shoulders of a bearded Christ holding an open book inscribed ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ and blessing with his right hand. This has been dated to c1113. It may have been the work of Paschal II, who was responsible for considerable rebuilding in the city after the Norman Sack of Rome in 1084, including the papal and titular church of SS Quattro Coronati.
Notes:
The mosaic is on a wall in the refectory of the church. I had to email the church (see its website) and make an appointment to see it – not difficult but needed doing in advance.