Sta. Sabina is one of the oldest Christian churches in Rome, founded in 325 AD,
and the church was completed ca. 432 AD
Sta. Sabina is situated on the Aventine Hill, and was constructed on the site of an ancient temple of Juno Regina.
Columns in the nave (seen here) were rescued and reused from the temple of Juno Regina.

Stta. Sabina is built on the basilican plan, with a large central nave and side aisles as shown in this image
The basilican plan was adopted from the plan of old Roman law courts, with a large nave, and an apse
at one end where the judge sat. This area is now the altar in Christian churches.
Side aisles in the old Roman law courts had areas for lawyers to see clients and do other legal business.

Through the centuries, several restorations took place, most of which were reversed in the early 20th century
reconstructing windows and fragments of marble, to bring the church back to its original form,
Most of the original mosaic decoration has been lost, but a few fragments of origina fresscoes remain.
Original doors from the 5th c. showing Biblical scenes, have been preserved.
The Crucifixion scene shown in one of the panels, is reputedly the earliest depiction of the Crucifixion known to exist.