Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, an exemplary statement of Baroque and Medieval architecture, is the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome. Immerse yourself in a grand yet calming atmosphere of Santa Maria Maggiore and understand its papal history.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Step inside Rome’s oldest Marian basilica and take in its architectural grandeur, centuries of history, spiritual significance, and artistic beauty.
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Admire the breathtaking gilded ceiling, the Virgin Mary apse mosaic, the Borghese and Pauline Chapels, and the Crypt of the Nativity, exploring each at your own pace.
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Let the audio guide bring every corner to life, sharing stories, historical insights, and fascinating details about the basilica.
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Enhance your visit with upgrades like panoramic terrace access, entry to the Liberian Museum, or a guided tour for deeper exploration.
More details
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Step inside Rome’s oldest Marian basilica and take in its architectural grandeur, centuries of history, spiritual significance, and artistic beauty.
-
Admire the breathtaking gilded ceiling, the Virgin Mary apse mosaic, the Borghese and Pauline Chapels, and the Crypt of the Nativity, exploring each at your own pace.
-
Let the audio guide bring every corner to life, sharing stories, historical insights, and fascinating details about the basilica.
-
Enhance your visit with upgrades like panoramic terrace access, entry to the Liberian Museum, or a guided tour for deeper exploration.
-
Join an expert-led tour of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and uncover centuries of art, history, and sacred treasures.
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Visit the Blessing Loggia, Hall of Popes, Bernini's Staircase, and the Liberian Museum, seeing the Miracle of the Snow mosaics and other fascinating artifacts.
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Enjoy a small-group tour of up to 15 people for a more personal and immersive experience through Rome’s historic Marian basilica.
-
Upgrade your visit with exclusive access to the basilica’s panoramic terraces for breathtaking city views.
More details
-
Join an expert-led tour of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and uncover centuries of art, history, and sacred treasures.
-
Visit the Blessing Loggia, Hall of Popes, Bernini's Staircase, and the Liberian Museum, seeing the Miracle of the Snow mosaics and other fascinating artifacts.
-
Enjoy a small-group tour of up to 15 people for a more personal and immersive experience through Rome’s historic Marian basilica.
-
Upgrade your visit with exclusive access to the basilica’s panoramic terraces for breathtaking city views.
-
Explore the underground chambers of a grand Roman basilica, where centuries-old mosaics, frescoes, and archaeological remains have been preserved for millennia.
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Discover exclusive subterranean areas, including the Treasure Room, ancient mosaics, unique fresco cycles, and historic thermal healing spaces, accessible only with a guided tour.
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Go through intricate details such as original tilework, geometric frescoes, and early architectural elements, explained by an expert English or Italian-speaking guide.
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Choose this experience to uncover rarely seen Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque layers beneath one of Rome’s most iconic religious sites.
More details
-
Explore the underground chambers of a grand Roman basilica, where centuries-old mosaics, frescoes, and archaeological remains have been preserved for millennia.
-
Discover exclusive subterranean areas, including the Treasure Room, ancient mosaics, unique fresco cycles, and historic thermal healing spaces, accessible only with a guided tour.
-
Go through intricate details such as original tilework, geometric frescoes, and early architectural elements, explained by an expert English or Italian-speaking guide.
-
Choose this experience to uncover rarely seen Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque layers beneath one of Rome’s most iconic religious sites.
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About Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Santa Maria Maggiore shines in any Rome collection, offering a harmonious blend of ancient art, papal history, and spiritual significance. As one of the city’s four major basilicas, it’s a highlight for pilgrims, art lovers, and curious travelers alike—showcasing original mosaics, sacred relics, and a welcoming, tranquil atmosphere that stands apart from Rome’s busier attractions.
Santa Maria Maggiore’s founding is linked to a miraculous summer snowfall in August 352 AD, commemorated each year by a shower of white rose petals inside the basilica.
The basilica’s ceiling is gilded with gold said to be the first brought from the New World, gifted by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain after Columbus’s voyage.
It is the only papal basilica in Rome to preserve its original 5th-century basilican layout and dimensions, with 36 ancient marble columns lining the nave.
The Salus Populi Romani icon, housed in the Pauline Chapel, is believed by legend to have been painted by St. Luke, though scholars date it to the 9th century.
Santa Maria Maggiore’s 75-meter bell tower is the tallest in Rome, and its grounds are Vatican property, enjoying extraterritorial status under the Lateran Treaty.
Why visit Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica?
Plan your visit
Main Entrance (Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore)
This is the primary entrance, located at the top of the staircase facing Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, directly beneath the basilica’s grand Baroque façade. It’s the most recognizable entry point, marked by large bronze doors and the Marian column in front. Visitors will pass through a brief security screening here. Please note there are several steps leading up, but staff are available to assist those who need help.
Accessible Entrance (Left Side – Near Holy Door)
For step-free access, use the entrance on the left side of the main façade, near the Holy Door. This entrance is suitable for wheelchair users, visitors with strollers, or anyone who prefers to avoid stairs. Security staff can direct you to this entry, which leads directly into the nave. The basilica’s main floor is level and easy to navigate once inside.
South Side Entrance (Via di Santa Prassede)
Occasionally open for special events or group tours, this entrance is located along Via di Santa Prassede, to the right of the basilica when facing the main façade. It is sometimes used for guided tours or during high-traffic periods. Accessibility may vary; check with staff if you require step-free access.
Audio guides are available for rent at the information desk for a fee (approx. €8). They provide detailed commentary in multiple languages.
Toilets for visitors are available in a side annex of the basilica. Follow signage or ask staff for directions.
A small souvenir shop is located near the main entrance, offering religious items, books, and postcards.
An information desk is located near the main entrance, where staff can assist with visitor questions and audio guide rentals.
The basilica is wheelchair accessible via a step-free entrance on the left side of the main facade. Most main areas, including the nave and chapels, are accessible. Some upper museum areas may not be fully accessible due to stairs.
Wheelchairs are not available for loan on-site, but visitors may bring their own. Staff can assist with accessible entry if needed.
Strollers are allowed in the main nave and aisles. Please avoid blocking pathways and be mindful during crowded times.
Service animals are welcome to accompany visitors with disabilities throughout the basilica.
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