| Within the convent there is this abbatial
church consecrated in 1024 by pope Giovanni XIX (1024-1032 dei
Conti di Tuscolo) to the Madonna. Its present form is the result
of long restoration works at the beginning of the 20th century,
which restored it to its original state.
The portico with travertine columns and a gothic stained glass
window characterize its façade, with an high belfry on
the right featured by polychrome marbles and majolica echinus.
Before reaching its interior there is the narthex with a marble
font decorated with baptismal scenes, made during the first
construction period of the Basilica. The entrance portal with
cedar-wood wings, probably coming from one of the churches of
the Tuscolo, and the mosaic over the entrance, representing
Jesus on a throne flanked by the Madonna and San Giovanni, can
be dated back to the same period. The interior consists of a
nave and two aisles, but the several restoration works have
modified its original form. The mosaic on the apsidal arch belongs
to the original decorations of the church. It shows the Pentecost:
the twelve apostles around a throne with the Lamb of God.
A cycle of frescos, only partially preserved and showing holy
scenes, such as the Trinity, were painted in a later period.
During the 16th century the church was radically transformed
according to the wish of the Farnese. It was built the coffered
ceiling and the chapel on the right side was completely renewed
by Domenico Zampieri, called il Domenichino. The interior is
decorated with stories relative to the life of San Nilo and
San Bartolomeo; and on the altar there is a painting representing
the Madonna with the Bambino between San Nilo and San Bartolomeo,
by Annibale Carracci.
In 1665, the cardinal Francesco Barberini ordered a machinery
to decorate the high altar and on it was inserted the Madonna
icon of the 13th century, coming from an Eastern country.
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