San Giorgio in Velabro

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Map of the Churches of Rome

San Giorgio in Velabro

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The church of San Giorgio in Velabro, which stands in what was once the Greek quarter of the city, was probably built during the 7th century. The portico and bell tower were added in the 12th century. 

The inscription on the portico reads: Stefano della Stella, a man of rare eloquence, famous for the brilliance of his virtues, in his desire to gain the heights, took care to restore the portico by spending gold. He did this for you, St George, out of his own resources. This cleric was head of this church, at this place called the golden sail. Golden sail (velum aureum) is a medieval corruption of velabrum (low ground).

Nave

The nave is lined with sixteen ancient columns of granite and pavonazetto. The fresco in the apse, the only painting in the church, depicts Christ with the Madonna and St George and St Peter and St Sebastian. At the base of the altar there is a niche. What purports to be the skull of St George is visible through the grill. 

After the Explosion of the Car Bomb

On July 27th 1993, the portico was destroyed by a car bomb, which had been planted by the Mafia. Within four years it had been beautifully reconstructed. ​​

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