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.
Pickup included
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome from which size it receives the appellation "major". Among the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome, St. Mary Major is the only one to have kept its original structure, though it has been enhanced over the course of years. The basilica enshrines the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani, depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary as the help and protectress of the Roman people, which was granted a Canonical coronation by Pope Gregory XVI on 15 August 1838 accompanied by his Papal bull Cælestis Regina.
You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points
Pickup is included for all accommodation within Aurelian Walls. If your hotel is not in the list send us an email with your hotel /B&B/accomodation in Rome, we will let you know if the pick up is included.
For any other information, please contact +390639377457 or +393396249356 or write an e-mail to [email protected]. church subject to partial availability due to liturgies