Mauzoleum Konstancji

The Mausoleum of Constance is one of the best-preserved imperial tombs in Rome. It was built between 337 and 351 AD as the resting place of Emperor Constantine the Great's daughter and her sister Helena.

The building impresses with its circular plan with a diameter of 22.5 meters, a dome and 12 pairs of granite Corinthian columns. It was originally decorated with exquisite mosaics depicting grapevine scenes, geometric patterns and portraits of the sisters.

For centuries, the mausoleum was mistakenly thought to be a temple to Bacchus because of the vine motifs in the decorations. In 1256 it was transformed into a church by Pope Alexander IV.