Basilica of St. Apollinarus, Roma, Italy

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine, commonly known as Sant’Apollinare, has a rich and complex history that spans over many centuries. Its origins trace back to the 8th century and it has played a central role in Rome’s ecclesiastical and cultural development. Below is a detailed account of its history, from its founding to its modern-day role.

Foundation and Early History (8th-10th Century)

Sant’Apollinare was founded by Pope Hadrian I around the year 780, constructed atop the remains of earlier Roman buildings. The church was first mentioned in the Liber Pontificalis, the official record of papal history, which provides information about Pope Hadrian’s reign and the church’s establishment. In addition, a 10th-century chronicle by the monk Benedetto del Soratte refers to a small chapel located near the baths of Nero and Alexandria, an area in which the church was situated. Pope Hadrian also founded a monastery adjacent to the church for Basilian monks fleeing religious persecution in Constantinople during the iconoclast controversy.

Medieval and Renaissance Period (13th-16th Century)

In 1284, a college of canons was established at the basilica, which was documented in historical records as an important ecclesiastical body. This college of canons continued to function until 1576. Sant’Apollinare was also elevated to a papal chapel during this time and became a parish church in 1562, reflecting its increasing role in the religious life of the city. The church’s importance continued to grow when, in 1517, Pope Leo X granted it the title of a cardinalate church, a designation that highlighted its significance within the broader Church hierarchy.

Jesuit Era and Rebuilding (16th-18th Century)

In 1574, Pope Gregory XIII granted the church to the Jesuits, and it became the place of worship for the German-Hungarian College, also known as the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum, which was housed in the adjacent Palazzo di Sant’Apollinare. The Jesuits maintained this connection with the basilica until their suppression in 1773. By the late 17th century, the church had fallen into disrepair, and rebuilding efforts were delayed due to a lack of funds. However, in 1742, Pope Benedict XIV commissioned the architect Ferdinando Fuga to rebuild Sant’Apollinare, and the reconstruction took place between 1742 and 1748. Fuga’s redesign transformed the church into its current form, and Pope Benedict XIV consecrated the newly rebuilt church on 21 April 1748.

19th Century and the Papal Role (19th Century)

The church continued to serve an important role in the ecclesiastical and academic life of Rome during the 19th century. From 1825, it housed the Pontifical Roman Seminary until the seminary’s relocation to the Collegio Romano in 1848. One notable event during this period was the consecration of the future Pope Pius X as bishop at Sant’Apollinare on 6 November 1884. The church’s status as a minor basilica was officially recognized in 1984.

Modern Era and Opus Dei (20th-21st Century)

In the 20th century, the basilica’s role evolved further. On 18 December 1990, the church was entrusted to the Prelature of Opus Dei, which established its Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on the premises. The Opus Dei chaplain took up residence at the church on 1 September 1991, marking a new chapter in the basilica’s history. One of the most unusual and controversial chapters in the church’s recent history occurred in 1990 when the notorious gangster Enrico “Renatino” De Pedis, leader of the Magliana gang, was buried in the basilica’s crypt. This burial, authorized by Cardinal Ugo Poletti, attracted significant media attention and led to investigations due to the links between De Pedis and the 1983 disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, a case that remains unresolved. In 2012, following judicial investigations, the body of De Pedis was exhumed and transferred to the Prima Porta Cemetery, where it was cremated and the ashes dispersed into the sea.

Renovations and Restoration

In 2008, a long-awaited restoration project was completed, which included the church and the square in front of it. The restoration helped preserve the architectural beauty of the basilica and ensured its continued use for religious, academic, and cultural purposes.