| Basilica of Sts. Vitalis, Valeris, Gervase and Protase | |
|---|---|
| Basilica Ss. Vitalis, Valeriae, Gervasii et Protasii(in Latin) | |
Basilica di Santi Vitale e Compagni Martiri in Fovea(in Italian) | |
 Façade of the Basilica of San Vitale | |
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| 41°53′58.8″N 12°29′27.1″E / 41.899667°N 12.490861°E | |
| Location | Via Nazionale 194/B, Rome |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Website | Official website |
| History | |
| Status | Minor basilica, titular church |
| Dedication | Vitalis of Milan, Valeria of Milan, Gervasius and Protasius |
| Consecrated | AD 401 |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Paleochristian |
| Groundbreaking | ca. 400 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Width | 18 metres (59 ft) |
| Clergy | |
| Cardinal protector | Adam Maida |
The early Christian imperial basilica of the Saints Martyrs Vitale, Valeria, Gervasio and Protasio known more commonly as the basilica of San Vitale and Compagni Martiri in Fovea (Roman Parish) or more simply as San Vitale al Quirinale. It is the oldest Catholic place of worship in the historic center of Rome, located in via Nazionale. The imperial basilica of San Vitale al Quirinale, built under the pontificate of Pope Siricius after 386 and consecrated and richly decorated by Pope Innocent in 402 (Luigi Hutter and Vincenzo Golzino) is the first public Christian basilica with a baptistery (still not found) not founded on pre-existing pagan temples, mentioned in the Liber pontificalis, built by the Emperor Theodosius at the behest of Saint Ambrose of Milan, in honor of the miraculous discovery of the bodies of martyrs Gervasius and Protasius in Milan. It is the most frescoed basilica in Rome.