Basilica di San Nicola in Carcere

The medieval Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere is one of the oldest churches in Rome, dating back to the 6th century. It stands on the site of the ancient Forum Holitorium, on the site of three temples that were converted into prisons during the Middle Ages.

Built in 1128, it was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, as the area was home to a Greek community particularly devoted to the saint. The small square of the Forum Holitorium, with the three temples of Janus, Hope, and Juno Sospita at its center, was used as a market for herbs and vegetables. The church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1599 by the architect Giacomo Della Porta. Further restored and decorated during the pontificate of Pope Pius IX in 1865, it was freed from the adjacent buildings in 1932, thus exposing the remains of the ancient temples.

During the 2026 Musical Season, the Orchestra of I Virtuosi dell'opera di Roma will perform " Vivaldi's Four Seasons" at the Basilica: four concerts for violin and strings representing the scenes of nature in music, each inspired by each season of the year.

The program is also enriched by other important concerts of sacred music for strings.