San Lorenzo in Panisperna

The church traditionally built on the exact spot where Saint Lawrence was martyred by being roasted alive on a gridiron in 258 AD — one of early Christianity's most famous and beloved martyrdoms. The name "Panisperna" derives from the bread (pane) and ham (perné) distributed to the poor at the gate. Inside the church is a stone marking the supposed spot of the martyrdom, and a fresco of the martyrdom itself by Pasquale Cati. The building stands on the Viminal Hill above the Baths of Diocletian. It sits on one of Rome's most evocative streets — Via Panisperna, lined with antique shops and trattorias — and is just steps from the wine bar Ai Tre Scalini. Often overlooked even by serious church visitors, it is mentioned in the Catholic Culture guide to underrated Rome churches as essential for anyone following the footsteps of the early martyrs.