It’s the crypt and it’s is the only part of the church not currently under scaffolding. When I arrived at the basilica recently, the crypt was cordoned off, but the kind man who was overseeing the spaces that day let me enter. Thank you, most kind signore!

The only part not scaffolded

Below, we approaching the high altar of the crypt which is composed of an antique tomb which is said to hold the sacred bones of Saint Minias.

A study of the tops of the antique columns in all of the crypts of important (and the lesser ones too) churches in Italy would be a fun scavenger hunt to make. They are one of my favorite parts of any visit.