The church of Santi Luca e Martina was founded in the 7th century, probably by Honorius I, who is also credited with the foundation of the neighbouring church of Saint Hadrian. The church was restored by Pope Alexander IV in 1256, and the patronage of Saint Luke (patron saint of painters) was added to the church by Sixtus V in 1588.
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli stands on the hill of the Campidoglio. The church, whose original name was Santa Maria in Capitolio, was part of the complex of buildings of a monastery that had settled on the Capitoline hill while the rest of the ancient Roman buildings was in ruins.
The church of Santa Maria Antiqua, built in the 5th century, is the oldest Christian building in the Forum. The interior of the church is decorated with ancient Byzantine frescoes, dating from the time of Popes Martin I (649-655), John VII (705-707) and Zechariah (741-752). It contains the oldest representation in Rome of Santa Maria Regina, the Virgin Mary as Queen, dating from the second century.
Santi Cosma e Damiano is one of the oldest churches in Europe. Erected in the 6th century on the remains of a Roman temple, still visible today, the apse of the basilica has preserved mosaics of the time.
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