The church of San Nicola in Capo di Bove is a deconsecrated church in Rome, in the Ardeatino district, on the ancient Appian Way, in front of the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella.
In 1299 the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella was given by Boniface VIII to the Caetani family, who had the castle built there surrounded by walls and crenellated towers, the remains of which are still visible leaning against the mausoleum.
On the opposite side of the Via Appia there are the remains of an ancient church of ogival architecture, however completely stripped of its ornaments and without a roof.
The name a capo di ox seems to derive from the name with which in the Middle Ages the friezes in the shape of the ox's head that adorned part of the mausoleum were called.
Based on the testimony of Tommaso da Celano, the church was built in the courtyard of the Caetani castle at the beginning of the 14th century by the Neapolitan architect Masuccio.
The Church of San Nicola in Capo di Bove
Address: Via Appia Antica, 161, 00178
Phone: +39 06 784 4271
Site:
Location inserted by
Mattia Lombardo