The church lies on the so-called Piccolo Aventino, which is an area close to the ancient Servian Walls next to the Aventine and Caelian Hill. Up until the explosive growth of Rome at the end of the 19th century, the church was one of the most isolated inside the city walls and was only approached by a long dead-end driveway from the Viale Aventino (this is the present Via San Saba).