This chapter is devoted entirely to the Roman church of Santa Prassede, the principal surviving architectural project of Pope Paschal I (817–824). Its function as a major urban repository for the relics of the city’s Early Christian saints and martyrs, more than 2000 of which were brought here from the extramural catacombs, determines both the architectural model (Saint Peter’s) and many aspects of the decoration in mosaic, mural painting and sculpture. Special attention is devoted to the San Zeno chapel, the burial site of Paschal’s mother, Theodora, whose mosaic programme, including her portrait, is completely preserved and reflects that function. Consideration is given to Richard Krautheimer’s suggestion that this church constitutes evidence for a ‘Carolingian renascence’ of architectural forms associated with the first Christian emperor, Constantine.

The transformation of St John Lateran, which started under pope Nicolas IV (1288–92) was the largest building project in high medieval Rome. What motives forced this pope to demolish the apses and to erect new apses, transepts and façades of the Lateran-church and of St Maria Maggiore, whose walls were sanctified by legends? This chapter focuses on the transept of St John Lateran. The form and function of the little transept aisle of Constantinian origin, excavated in the south part, is not very clear and nothing is left of a possible transept of the 12th century. This chapter explores the issue of the northern entrance towards Campus Lateranensis and the city in 1200.