The Porta Maggiore Basilica is an underground basilica[Jérôme Carcopino. Etudes romaines. La basilique pythagoricienne de la Porte Majeure. Paris, l'Artisan du livre, 1927] discovered in 1917 near Porta Maggiore in Rome. It is dated to the 1st century BC.NEO-PYTHAGOREAN BASILICA OF PORTA MAGGIORE, Romeandart It is believed to have been the meeting place of the neo-Pythagoreans and is the only historical site that has been associated with the neo-Pythagorean movement. This school of mystical Hellenistic philosophy preached asceticism and was based on the works of Pythagoras and Plato.Lisa Spencer, The Neo-Pythagoreans at the Porta Maggiore in Rome, Rosicrucian digest, vol. 87 / 1 (2009), p 36 It was a precursor to the basilicas built during the Christian period, centuries later. It was opened to small groups of visitors in April 2015.
Discovery The basilica is below the street level. The underground chamber was discovered accidentally in 1917 during the construction of a railway line from Rome to Cassino. An underground passage caved in, revealing the hidden chamber. Secret pagan basilica in Rome emerges from the shadows after 2,000 years, Nick Squires, The Telegraph, 19 Nov 2015
The structure is thought to have been constructed by the Statilius family. The head of the family Titus Statilius Taurus was accused by the Senate for what Tacitus in his Annals calls "addiction to magical superstitions". Taurus protested his innocence but eventually committed suicide in 53 CE.
Architecture
The basilica has three naves lined by six rock pillars and an apse.Guida di Roma sotterranea - Guide to underground Rome: Dalla Cloaca Massima alla Domus Aurea i più affascinanti siti sotterranei della capitale, Carlo Pavia, Gangemi, 2000, p. 376 They are decorated with stucco images of centaurs, griffins and satyrs. Classical heroes such as Achilles, Orpheus, Paris and Hercules are also represented. 伊ローマ地下聖堂の化粧しっくい、修復作業が進行中, AFP, April 27, 2015
Originally the basilica was entered through a long downhill entrance from the Prenestina Street, and through a vestibule.The Underground Basilica of Porta Maggiore unveils its mysteries, 24/04/2015
Opening The basilica underwent several years of restoration work. In 1951, a concrete shell was constructed that enclosed the entire basilica. Air purifiers from IQAir in Switzerland have been installed to combat radon gas.
The 40 ft-long basilica is now opened to visitors. The visiting groups are kept small because of the fragility of the monument. The temperature and humidity is kept within a narrow range. It is open during 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, and the tour is prearranged.Underground Basilica of Porta Maggiore, società cooperativa culture
References
External links La Basilica sotterranea di Porta Maggiore, Video, Adnkronos, Apr 24, 2015 Information on the Porta Prenestina from the LacusCurtius website. Pictures of the gate Porta Maggiore information Further information, and a map