This is where we started our underground tour. Throughout history conquering powers (especially religious ones) have built their religious sites on top of the vanquished religion’s sites. Makes sense if you want to exert absolute power, and who knows there might just be something special about that site. San Clemente is an excellent example of this. There are three levels of civilization here. Starting at the top, this is the baroque facade added to “update” and make grander a 4th century structure so this facade was added on in the 12th century. This is also an example of church archaeology, in this case Irish Dominicans who make this their home in Rome. If you are one of my students you will find the interior of this church in your textbook as no pictures were allowed inside.