|||

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

This spectacular Baroque church is one of the four most important in Rome.

TravelCurious Tip

Look out for the Salus Populi Romani, or ‘Protectress of the Roman People’ in the Borghese chapel - a beautiful and enigmatic image, it is historically Rome’s most important Marian icon, and possibly one of the oldest in existence.

Mary Major

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the oldest churches in Rome and the third most important for pilgrims. It was originally built in the 4th century AD by Pope Liberius. Its grand size (and the corresponding title St. Mary Major) distinguishes it from the many other churches dedicated to the Virgin in Rome.

According to legend, in 352 AD Liberius had a dream which told him that there would be snowfall in August. This was down to a Roman patrician, John, who had prayed to the Virgin Mary that he and his wife may have a child and asked for a sign in answer to their prayers. Liberius vowed to build a church in honour of the Holy Mother should this come to pass, and so the Basilica is sometimes referred to as Santa Maria ad Nives (Saint Mary of the Snows).

Pope Sixtus had a new church built on the site in 432 AD, and rededicated it to Mary: a feast day is held each year in honour of the dedication of the Basilica on 5 August. It is located between Piazza Santa Maria and Piazza dell’Esquilino near Rome’s main Metro station, Termini, amidst the bustle of the metropolitan centre. Facing the front of the Basilica in Piazza Santa Maria is a colossal Imperial column taken from the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum, topped with a figure of the Virgin.

Baroque beauty

The Basilica itself is striking both for its size and splendour, inside and out. The façade we see today was built in Baroque style by Ferdinando Fuga, and masks the original structure built by Pope Sixtus III 1,500 years ago. The bell tower, which was added in the 14th century, is the highest in Rome.

Inside, the coffered ceiling, supported by ancient marble columns, is radiant with Peruvian gold; some of the oldest Christian mosaics can be found here on the nave and triumphal arch, depicting stories from the Old Testament. The church is also home to many other major Christian artworks and is the burial place of some notable historical figures, including numerous Popes and the artist-architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Mass is held here daily, and to see the procession of priests make their way towards the altar through a cloud of incense is a quieting sight.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Rome
Underground Colosseum
Exclusive access to the underground chambers and tunnels of this ancient amphitheatre - an unforgettable experience.
Basilica of San Clemente
This church is on three levels: medieval, early Christian and finally an ancient Roman cult sanctuary.
National Museum of Rome
The Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi and Baths of Diocletian - plenty to see here.
Domus Aurea
Emperor Nero's enormous private villa complex beside the Colosseum.
Monti District
Formerly Suburra - an ancient Roman neighborhood walled off from the Forum - the neighborhood is now one filled with locals, and the occasional lost tourist.
Anio Novus Aqueduct
Considered one of the great and largest aqueducts constructed under Caligula, the Anio Novus aqueduct's ruins are visible along the route from Rome to Tivoli.

Related Tours

x

Guides

Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.

Become a guide

Partners

Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.

Become a partner