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The Geometry of Love: The Images
Part 8
Santa Costanza

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"In the grounds of Sant'Agnese's is a small round church, one of the most beautiful in the city. It dates from the years immediately following the death of Constantine in 337, and is among the oldest Christian buildings to have survived almost complete; it is still in use as a church." (p.176)
Beside the church of Sant'Agnese is the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, the daughter of Constantine, who built a church in honour of Saint Agnes.		The interior of the Mausoleum, the oldest church in Christendom that is still in use as a church, and a masterpiece of early Christian art.
Detail of the Santa Costanza capitals. Ancient Roman, second century. (page 178)	Inside the round church of Santa Costanza. Light floods into the centre of the building from above.	Santa Costanza's from within the ruins of the cemetery basilica.
Detail of Sant'Agnese's candlestick, taken from the church of Santa Costanza. (p.78)	Greco-Roman marble candlestick from Santa Costanza's, now in the Vatican Museums.	The ruins of the vast basilica that Constantina built in honour of Saint Agnes. This view is from below, at the bottom of the hill.
Fourth century 'Paradise' mosaic in the vault at Santa Costanza's.	Congregation walking in procession from Sant'Agnese's church to Santa Costanza's	Cupids trampling grapes. This is one end of Constantina's porphyry sarcophagus, now in the Vatican Museums. A copy has taken its place in Santa Costanza's church. (pp.178-80)