127b.

[Chiesa di S. Bernardo alla Terme, e Monastero dei Monaci del medesimo Santo]

Situated on the Via Suburrana (2) the early Christian church of S. Prassede (1) is one of the churches along that street whose constant restoration confirms the existence of a long, active neighborhood in what was otherwise an empty part of the city during the middle ages. The pillared porch leads to a covered stair which opens onto a porticoed court in front of the church. The distancing of the facade from the street resembles that of the church of S. Pudenziana, Plate 162, who was reputed to be S. Prassede's sister. The intersection visible at the right showing part of a rusticated entry gate to the Villa Gaetani (NN 35) is Via Merulana, the street begun under Gregory XIII Boncompagni (1572-1585), which links S. Maria Maggiore to S. Giovanni in Laterano. Vasi takes artistic license in this print by eliminating the bend in the Via Suburrana in order to show the distant Church of S. Vito and the Arch of Gallienus (3) Plate 126.