Sant'Anastasia was built in the late 3rd century - early 4th century, possibly by a Roman woman named Anastasia. The church is listed under thetitulus Anastasiae in the acts of the 499 synod. Later the church was entitled to the martyr with the same name,Anastasia of Sirmium. Melchiorri in his 19th century guide of Rome, mentions a Roman matron by the name of Apollonia founded the church.[1]
Ceiling with the 1722 fresco (Martyrdom of Anastasia) by CerrutiMain altar statue of St Anastasia by Ferrata
The last restoration, after the restoration during the papacy of Sixtus IV, occurred in 1636, when the facade, with lower doric and upper ionic order, was reconstructed in 1636, after the cyclone of 1634. The nave is flanked by pilasters that incorporate Ancient Roman marble and granite columns, putatively from the former Temple of Neptune on the Palatine.
The ceiling is colorfully decorated with elaborate framed designs (cassetone) and has a central frescoed panel depicting theMartyrdom of Anastasia (1722) byMichelangelo Cerruti; the work was pursued under the patronage of the CardinalNuno da Cunha e Ataíde. The presbytery was richly decorated in 1705 with marble by the Febei family rebuilt with an endowment of the cardinalGiambattista Costaguti. Under the main altar is said to be sheltered the relics of the titular saint. The main altarpiece behind the altar depicts aNativity byLazzaro Baldi. The altar at the base houses a statue ofSaint Anastasia byErcole Ferrata. The recumbent sculpture of the dying saint, laid atop a flaming pyre, was influenced by Bernini'sBeata Ludovica Albertoni.
The first chapel to the right, near the entrance, has a painting ofSt John the Baptist byPier Francesco Mola. While the last chapel on the right has a fresco depictingScenes from the lives of Saints Carlo Borromeo and Filippo Neri byLazzaro Baldi. The right transept has a painting ofSt Toribio (1726) byFrancesco Trevisani. The left transept has aMadonna of the Rosary also by Baldi, and the tomb of Cardinal and philologistAngelo Mai by the late neoclassical sculptorGiovanni Maria Benzoni. The last chapel to the left, is dedicated to St Jerome, and has an altarpiece depicting this saint byDomenichino. The chalice used by the saint was said to be housed in this chapel. The other chapel has aSaints Giorgio and Bishop Publio byÉtienne Parrocel.[5]
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Media related toBasilica di Sant'Anastasia al Palatino (Rome) at Wikimedia Commons
