Basilica di Santi Vitale, Valeria, Gervasio e Protasio

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Exterior, Narthex
Nave, Apse
Left Side Frescoes and Altars
Right Side Frescoes and Altars

San Vitale is a titular minor basilica church in Rome, dedicated to the martyrs St Vitalis, his wife St Valeria and his sons Sts Gervase and Protase.

For reference, a plan of the church is available here.

History

The church was originally built about 400 and consecrated by Pope Innocent I in 401/2. San Vitale was restored several times, the most important being the rebuilding by Pope Sixtus IV before the Jubilee of 1475, and then renovated in 1937-38, and restored in 1960.

The walls are painted with 17th century frescoes of scenes of martyrdoms, which when you first see them appear to be merely landscapes. There are inscriptions on each, explaining whose martyrdom is depicted.