143.

Chiesa e Monastero di S. Lucia in Selci delle Suore Agostiniane

Via in Selci is named for the ancient selci (basalt blocks) with which it was formerly paved. It is part of a pre-Roman pathway which became the Via Suburrana, leading from the Esquiline gate in the Republican walls to the Forum, Plate 126. The late antique arched building (1) on the left is thought to have been used as an early Christian titulus (meeting hall), and became part of the medieval convent of S. Lucia. The entrance to the convent is the early Baroque doorway to the right of the carriage. It gives access to a lobby opening into the conventual church, with the three tall windows to the left of the street entrance. The axis of the church is parallel to the street (as the Nolli plan indicates). Further along Via in Selci a gateway gave access to a salita (2) (sloping path) leading to the church and convent of S. Maria della Purificazione, Plate 155. Neither path nor church survive today. The trapezoidal path (see Nolli plan) once climbed up to the top of the Oppian spur of the Esquiline hill, and joined Via delle Sette Sale and the back of the church of S. Pietro in Vincoli (3) St. Peter in Chains, whose apse is visible below the number 3 in the print. The building furthest along Via in Selci is the convent of the Paolotte (4) attached to the late 18th century church of S. Gioachino e Anna (not visible in the print).