The Magic of the Middle Ages

S. Benedetto rescues the monks from under the landslide of a fallen wall. (Stories of St. Benedict) - c. 1300, From the Church of St. AgneseSan Nicola in Carcere (Italian, "St Nicholas in prison") is a titular church in Rome near the Forum Boarium in rione Ripa. The Basilica di Sant'Agnese Fuori le Mura (Basilica of St. Agnes Outside the Walls) is a 7th century church in Rome. It is one of the traditional stational churches of Lent. Frescoes from these churches had been hidden away since the 15th-16th centuries. They were discovered ca. 1850-60--but found to be in quite poor condition. In 1923, attempts to clean the frescoes failed. But cleaning began again in 1999--with greater success--and the paintings were finally exhibited in 2002.