San Bartolomeo all' Isola

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San Bartolomeo all' Isola

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The church of San Bartolomeo all' Isola was founded in the 10th century by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III to honour his friend St Adalbert, Bishop of Prague. It was restored in 1624 by the Roman architect Orazio Torriani (1602-57).  

The interior contains 14 antique columns and an ancient well-head, which has been set into the chancel steps. A porphyry basin from the Baths of Caracalla serves as both the high altar and a reliquary for the (purported) bones of St Bartholomew. The beautifully carved well-head bears the figures of Christ, St Adalbert, St Bartholomew and Otto III.

San Bartolomeo all' Isola stands on the Isola Tiberina, a small island in the river Tiber, which was once the site of the ancient Temple of Aesculapius (early 3rd century BCE). 

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