The first phase of the project will involve the restoration of the chapel's 5th century floor. The restoration of the rest of the chapel along with its murals is expected to be completed in 2009. The Hungarian state will contribute HUF 40 million to the project.
Santo Stefano Rotondo is an ancient basilica that lies on the Caelian Hill, Rome's highest hill. It was consecrated by Pope Simplicius in the 5th century and dedicated to Saint Stephen. The church was the first in Rome to have a circular plan, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
In the Middle Ages, Santo Stefano Rotondo was charged to the Canons of San Giovanni in Laterano, but it fell into a state of repair as time went on.
In 1454, Pope Nicholas V entrusted the ruined church to the Pauline Fathers, a Catholic Order founded by Hungarians.
In 1579, the Hungarian Jesuits followed the Pauline Fathers, and the Collegium Hungaricum was established. It was merged with the Collegium Germanicum in 1580 to become the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum.
The former cardinal priest of the church was the Hungarian József Mindszenty.
Source: Múlt-kor / Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
