Best Seller4.8·Rome·45m
Private Night transfer from the Fiumicinio airport to Rome
Enjoy an elegant, private and safe transfer during the night (from 9pm to 7am) from the Fiumicino...
From€35.00
per person
1 / 4Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour
(5)
Rome, ItalyArts & CulturePilgrimage Or ReligionSightseeing ToursAttractions
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About this activity
Explore one of Rome's four major papal basilicas, a stunning fifth-century monument layered with Renaissance renovations that houses some of Christianity's most revered relics. This 2-hour guided tour reveals intricate mosaics, papal history, and treasures including a piece of Christ's crib and the tomb of baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Although enlarged and redecorated, the basilica retains much of its original structure of the fifth century. In the years following the return of the papacy to Rome from Avignon, part of the church was used as a papal residence until the complete renovation of the Vatican palace. Admire its mosaics of the fifth century, a reliquary that is said to contain a piece of the crib that once held baby Jesus, an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary, the tomb of St. Jerome and the tomb of the artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.There is also the Sistine Chapel in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to Pope Sixtus V.
Highlights
- ✓Fifth-century mosaics depicting biblical scenes in remarkable detail
- ✓Papal Reliquary—believed to contain fragments of Jesus's crib
- ✓Ancient icon of the Virgin Mary, venerated for centuries
- ✓Sixtine Chapel dedicated to Pope Sixtus V
- ✓Tombs of Saint Jerome and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- ✓Former papal residence with layers of Renaissance restoration
Insider tips
- ★Arrive early to beat crowds and photograph mosaics in morning light—the golden tesserae shimmer differently throughout the day
- ★The reliquary chapel (Cappella Sistina) is often less crowded than the main basilica floor; ask your guide for the quieter entrance
- ★Combine with nearby Santa Maria in Trastevere (15-min walk) for a deeper dive into Rome's mosaic heritage
Good to know
- •Modest dress required: cover shoulders and knees; no hats inside
- •Basilica is fully accessible with elevators and level flooring throughout
- •Meet at the basilica entrance on Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore; allow 10 minutes to locate your guide
- •Photography permitted in most areas except the Reliquary chapel
- •2-hour duration includes walking and standing—comfortable shoes essential
Who it's for
Faith-focused pilgrims and religious history enthusiastsArt and architecture lovers interested in early Christian mosaics and baroque sculptureHistory buffs exploring papal Rome and Renaissance restorationFirst-time visitors seeking UNESCO-caliber sites beyond the Vatican and Colosseum
Best time to visit
Visit early morning (7–9 am) when light streams through windows and crowds are minimal, or late afternoon (4–6 pm) when the low sun highlights mosaic detail. Avoid midday tourist surges.
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