Basilica of San Sisto Vecchio in Rome, Italy

The Basilica of San Sisto Vecchio traces its origins back to the fourth century. Originally known as the Titulus Crescentianae, the church is thought to have been founded by a Roman woman named Crescentia, possibly a noblewoman who either financed or played a key role in its establishment. According to tradition, Pope Anastasius I (399–401) was responsible for the church’s founding, further connecting it to early Christian Rome.

San Sisto Vecchio is particularly significant due to its dedication to Pope Sixtus II, a martyr who was killed in 258 AD during the reign of Emperor Valerian. The church is home to the relics of Pope Sixtus II, which were transferred to the basilica from the Catacomb of Callixtus in the sixth century. This connection has made San Sisto Vecchio an important pilgrimage site for centuries, reinforcing its status in the Christian world.

Reconstruction and Restoration

Over the centuries, the basilica underwent several reconstructions. In the early 13th century, Pope Innocent III oversaw the rebuilding of San Sisto Vecchio after it had fallen into disrepair. This reconstruction was part of the larger effort to preserve and renovate many early Christian churches in Rome. The current structure of the basilica is largely the result of restorations under Pope Benedict XIII in the 18th century, which gave the church a more Baroque appearance while retaining key elements of the earlier design. The most significant features that remain from the medieval period are the bell tower and the apse, both of which serve as symbolic links to the basilica’s ancient roots.

Artistic Heritage

One of the most remarkable aspects of San Sisto Vecchio is its 13th-century fresco cycle, which adorns the church’s walls. These frescoes depict scenes from both the New Testament and the Apocrypha, illustrating the artistic and theological richness of the time. Though some of the frescoes have suffered damage due to the passage of time, they remain a crucial part of the basilica’s artistic heritage and offer a glimpse into the religious imagination of the Middle Ages. The preservation of these frescoes further underscores the church’s importance as a site of Christian art and devotion.

The Role of the Dominican Order

In the 13th century, the Dominican Order became intricately linked to the Basilica of San Sisto Vecchio. In 1219, Pope Honorius III invited Saint Dominic and his companions to take residence at the basilica of Santa Sabina. Following this, in 1222, Dominic founded a convent and studium at San Sisto Vecchio, marking the establishment of the first Dominican studium in Rome. This foundational moment in the history of the Dominican Order would later contribute to the creation of the College of Saint Thomas at Santa Maria sopra Minerva and eventually the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

The Dominican influence at San Sisto Vecchio was part of Pope Honorius III’s broader efforts to reform women’s religious life in Rome. As part of this initiative, the basilica became a key site for the education and spiritual formation of religious women. Even today, Dominican nuns continue to occupy the monastery at San Sisto Vecchio, maintaining a tradition that stretches back nearly 800 years.