Rome, the heart of Christianity, the seat of the Catholic Church, is the place where history, faith, and art combine in a unique synthesis of majesty and beauty. The millennia of history of this city lives within each monument: basilicas, churches, catacombs. A journey through Christian Rome is a journey to discover places where one can savor the lively history of men and women, popes, saints, and artists who have dedicated their lives to the Church and to spread the Christian message. As the home of the Pope and the Catholic curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to apostles, saints and Christian martyrs, Rome had long been a destination for pilgrims. The Via Francigena was an ancient pilgrim route between England and Rome. It was customary to end the pilgrimage with a visit to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul. For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday.
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For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday. While a visit to the Appian Way is worthwhile in itself – as you walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time – a tour of the catacombs is undoubtedly the main highlight. Venture deep underground to explore the incredible tunnels that were dug out by hand nearly 2,000 years ago and learn all about the very beginning of Christianity. This is a side of Rome you’ve never seen before.
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is an ancient Catholic basilica that is considered to be the largest of the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It is one of the city’s four major basilicas. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was built on a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was built in the mid-fourth century under the orders of Pope Liberius. According to legend, the Virgin appeared before the Pope with the instructions for building the church, and the shape of the floor was designed based on a miraculous snowfall. Over the years, the basilica has had many different names, such as Saint Mary of the Snow (due to snow that led to the church’s shape), Santa Maria Liberiana (for Pope Liberius), St. Mary of the Nativity (because it received a relic of the Holy Nativity), and it was finally called Santa Maria Maggiore, as it is the largest of the 26 churches in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Lateran Palace was handed over by Constantine I to the Bishop of Rome, who converted the building into a temple during the fourth century. The Basilica is the oldest church in the world. Founded during the fourth century in honour of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, St John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the Cathedral of Rome and the most important of the four major basilicas. It is known as St John Lateran Archbasilica, as is it considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.In the early part of the fourth century, the Laterani family were stripped of their land as one of their members was accused of conspiring against the Emperor. It was given to the Bishop of Rome in order to build the first Roman basilica.Throughout the centuries, St John Lateran has survived several fires and an earthquake in 897. Nevertheless, it still maintains its first form even though it has been reconstructed on several occasions. The Basilica also houses a baptistery, which for many years was the only baptistery in Rome. The Basilica of St. John Lateran has played an important role throughout history; it was here that all popes were enthroned up until 1870. Nowadays, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterno is where the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, celebrates Holy Thursday Mass.
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Pick up at 7:00 am at your accomodation (hotel, B&B, apartment). Please confirm us the pick up address. N.B.: If your accomodation is not in the area indicated on the above map, send us a message to arrange your pick up.