Mosaic of the Apse

Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Trastevere

The basin of the apse was decorated during the golden era of Rome, the Ninth Century, in mosaic,s, under Pope Paschal I, the same person who commissioned the famous mosaics of Santa Prassede. In Santa Cecilia, the mosaics depict Christ the Redeemer with Saint Paul, Cecilia with Paschal I and Saints Peter, Agatha and Valeriano.  The pontiff presents a model of the church to Jesus and is characterized by a square halo, prerogative of the living.