San Nicola in Carcere

Ianus, Sospita, and Spes are the Roman deities of the day—yesterday, actually, as we visited the church built on top of their temples.  Saturday’s Station Church of Saint Nicholas was also built by the site of the vegetable market Forum Olitorium.  “Lettuce pray,” the ancient vendors would call out.  “Leeks for the meek,” they’d offer.  “Be devout, eat saurkraut,” they’d chant.  OK, maybe not—the Goths hadn’t arrived yet.

Here’s a temple wall incorporated into today’s church.

Perhaps getting up and down chimneys is considered a pretty impressive feat for those in tight spots, because Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of prisoners: the in Carcere of today’s name means jail in Italian.