Its mosaic patterns are very lovely, and its carved capitals.

The staircase to the left of the centre door of the church proper leads to the interior galleries and to the exterior gallery, where the golden horses are.

Of the interior galleries I speak later.

Let me say here that these noble steeds were originally designed and cast for a triumphal arch, to be driven by Victory, in honour of Nero.

Filched from Rome by Constantine, they were carried to his own city as an ornament to the imperial hippodrome.