Rome: Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Guided Tour – Lazio, Italy

EXPERIENCE

Join a walking tour of the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, located on Esquiline Hill. Discover the secrets of this impressive monument, one of the four papal basilicas in Rome.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was built on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream of pope Liberius. This is also where a blanket of snow appeared on the hill in the middle of summer. Find out how the locals commemorate this miracle every year with white flower petals.

See the 14th-century bell tower, the highest bell tower in Rome standing tall at 75 meters. It is said that there are pieces of wood from Jesus’ crib underneath the altar (Sacra Culla).

Visit the patriarchal basilica, which contains the funerary monuments of Pope Clement IX, Paul V, and Nicolas IV. Discover a number of other famous Catholics who are buried here as well, including saint Jerome and the artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

HIGHLIGHTS

Marvel at the 5th-century mosaics of Santa Maria Maggiore
Learn which famous Catholics are buried here
Admire the 14th-century bell tower, the highest bell tower in Rome

Browse all Tours, Events, Hotels, Restaurants and Things to do in Lazio