San Pietro in Vincoli
This very old church, dedicated to the Apostles, was erected in the 5th century and completely renovated by Pope Julius II at the end of the 15th century.
It owes its name to the relic it contains ("in vincoli", "enchained"), namely the chains that bound St. Peter in Jerusalem and later in Rome (they are kept in a gilded bronze urn). The other great attraction of the church is the Mausoleum of Julius II, an unfinished work by Michelangelo.
He worked on it from 1513 to 1516 and it was originally destined to stand in St. Peter's. For the mausoleum he sculpted the famous Statue of Moses and the two Prisoners, now in the Louvre.
“MOSES” marble sculpture for the tomb of Pope Julius II by Michelangelo
Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Buill in Ihe 4th century, this church was also constructed on an ancient Roman building and takes its name from the Greek word meaning "embellished". Beneath the portico in front of the facade, is the Mouth of Truth, an ancient lid in the shape of a mask. According to legend any liar who puts his hand into the slit will have it snapped off.
