Founded in the 8th century, the church of San Silvestro in Capite is dedicated to Pope St Silvester I (r. 314-35). The bell tower was added in 1198. The present church was built by Francesco Capriani da Volterra and Carlo Maderno between 1591 and 1601.
The entrance to the atrium of the church is surmounted by an image of the Mandylion (also known as the Image of Edessa), held up by two putti.
San Silvestroin Capite houses what purports to be the relic of the head of St John the Baptist.