Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura

After reading the article posted by Greg on June 21, 2007 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jht...) regarding the archeologist in search of the Holy Grail which he believes to be located under the Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura (which translates to Saint Lawrence outside the Walls) outside of Rome . I decided to do a bit of research into this specific location to find out the history of it and found these links below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This basilica is one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome and of the numerous churches dedicated to the deacon Laurence who was of Spanish origin. In the middle of the 3rd century, in an epoch of intensive persecutions of Christians, it was a depositary of the property of the Church, when Sixtus II and his collaborator were condemned to death, and distributed all this to the poor people. He died a martyr and obtained great admiration and devotion after his death. This explains the number of churches dedicated to him and the importance of his cult close to the place of his sepulchre, which happened in Agro Verano, in the cemetery of matron Cyriaca. In the 3rd century Constantine built a crypt with the relics of St Laurence, which later grew into a covered cemetery basilica of San Lorenzo.
http://www.italycyberguide.com/Geography...
Various photographs of the exterior and interior are also on this website.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the present-day basilica was constructed, the estate upon which it sits was once home to a small oratory built by Emperor Constantine I. The emperor built it over the site on which it was believed that Saint Lawrence was executed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_di...

---------------------------------------------------------------------
This website is in Italian (here is one for you Katya) so I wasn't able to read it but the photos are worth a mention.
http://www.romecity.it/Sanlorenzofuorile...

---------------------------------------------------------------------
The portico, c. 1220, has Cosmatesque decoration by the Vassaletti family of craftsmen. The 13th century frescoes, which have been recently reconstructed, depict scenes from the lives of St Stephen and St Lawrence, both deacons and martyrs.

There are two ancient sarcophagi in the portico. Of special interest is a Christian one, possibly decorated in the 7th century on an older sarcophagus, with a relief depicting putti picking grapes. While vines and grapes are symbols of the Eucharist, this is not likely here. Two Romanesque stone lions were moved here from the old entrance.

The campanile was built in the 12th century. Just inside the entrance is the tomb of Guglielmo Cardinal Fieschi, died 1256, but entombed in an ancient sarcophagus, incidentally decorated with a relief depicting a pagan marriage feast.

The choir enclosure and pulpit has Cosmatesque decoration, and there is also a fine Cosmatesque Paschal candlestick made in the 12th or 13th century.

The antique Ionic capital on the column directly behind the pulpit has carvings of a frog and a lizard. On the triumphal arch are Byzantine mosaics from the 6th century, depicting Christ with saints. The confessio is below the high altar, and can be entered from the nave. Here, St Lawrence and St Stephen are enshrined. The latter was brought here from Constantinople by Pope Pelagius II when he restored the church. Behind the high altar is a papal altar with an inscription naming the makers, of the Cosmati family, and dating it to 1148.
http://www.answers.com/topic/san-lorenzo...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Lawrence was a librarian and archivist, and was responsible for keeping the records of the early church.

He was therefore believed by Roman authorities to have a list of the locations of the mythical hoards of gold held by the Roman church, as well as a list of names of Roman nobles who were members of the church.

Captured by the emperor's soldiers, St. Lawrence was given two days to bring all the treasures to the imperial palace, under penalty of death. Lawrence gathered up the all the diseased, orphaned or crippled Christians, brought them to the palace, and told the startled emperor, "These are the treasures of the church!"

According to tradition, St. Lawrence was later publicly roasted alive in Rome in the hopes that the influential Christian leader would renounce Christianity. Instead, he is said to have called out, "Turn me over, I am done on this side!"

St. Lawrence is thus often represented in art holding a gridiron, and he is also the patron saint of cooks. His feast day, August 10, is particularly celebrated among librarians.

The inside of the Basilica of St. Lawrence is covered in a variety of frescoes. Displayed on one wall is a stone slab with blood stain, believed to be that on which the body of St. Lawrence was laid after his martyrdom.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting note on this site which says the catacombs are closed supposedly for restoration.
http://www.travelotica.com/travelguide/3...
... while below stairs, catacombs (presently closed for restoration) -where St Lawrence was apparently buried - lead a dank path from the pillars of Constantine's original structure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a drawing by Giovan Battista Piranesi (1720 - 1778) of the basilica as it appeared during the 1700's.
View of the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le mura, 1750-'60
http://www.museodiroma.comune.roma.it/Pa...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope you have enjoyed this web trip to a possible location of the Holy Grail in Italy as much as I have.
Sincerely, Pam