San Lorenzo in Lucina

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Facade of San Lorenzo in Lucina.

San Lorenzo in Lucina is a basilica of Rome, dating back to the 4th century, and devoted to St Lawrence, Roman diacon and martyr.

The name Lucina comes from the Roman matron owner of the house on which the church was built.

Pope Marcellus I hid here during Maxentius' persecution, while Pope Damasus I was elected here in 366. The church was known as Titulus Lucinae, and thus is mentioned in the acts of the 499 synod of Pope Symmachus.

To the 5th century dates back a tradition that wanted a litany each 25 April, starting from San Lorenzo in Lucina and ending in St Peter's Basilica.

The facade dates back to the 1112 rebuilding by Pope Celestine III, while the interior was completely chaned by Cosimo Fanzago in 1650, with the old lateral naves changed in Baroque chapels.

The high altar is decorated with a Christ on the Cross by Guido Reni. Under the altar there is the gridiron on which St Lawrence was martyred. The relics were put here by Pope Paschal II, according to an inscription on the throne behind the altar.

Nicolas Poussin is buried in the second chapel on the right, with a monument donated by Chateaubriand.

The Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Laurentii in Lucina is Luigi Poggi.