The original church built on this spot was erected in the 5th century over the home of St. Cecilia and her husband, Valerianus. After being led to her remains through a dream, Pope Paschal I had St. Cecilia moved from the catacombs where she was found to the newly renovated church in the 9th century. At that time, mosaics were put up in the apse. These mosaics were probably designed by Eastern artists who had moved to Rome during a period of iconoclasm. This is evidenced by Christ’s Greek blessing gesture. The mosaic features St. Cecilia presenting Pope Paschal I who is presenting the church to God. On the other side, St. Agnes is presenting Cecilia’s husband to God.
The portico and campanile were added in the 12th century. In the 13th century, Pietro Cavallini was commissioned to paint frescoes on the inside walls of the nave. Many of these frescoes have since been removed or destroyed but the Last Judgement still decorates the entrance wall. In 1599 the titular cardinal commissioned Stephano Maderno to sculpt St. Cecilia’s corpse in marble. This sculpture is displayed on top of her tomb in the confessio under the altar. The church underwent massive Baroque redesign in 1725.
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