Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
07:00 - 19:00
Monday
07:00 - 19:00
Tuesday
07:00 - 19:00
Wednesday
07:00 - 19:00
Thursday
07:00 - 19:00
Friday
07:00 - 19:00
Saturday
07:00 - 19:00
Sunday
07:00 - 19:00
About
One of seven pilgrimage basilicas in the world, this church was founded in 432 AD and is where the famous architect Bernini is buried.
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Centro
How to get there
- Termini • 6 min walk
- Vittorio Emanuele • 7 min walk
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2,547 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- SimonOnVacationToronto, Canada352 contributionsIncredible churchFinally got to visit the church that our Pope visits regularly. The ceiling design is unremarkable, impressive art and display of history inside the church is amazing. I'd recommend this to anyone visiting Italy, even for a short period of time. Don't forget to go downstairs to see the relic of the Holy Crib of our Lord!Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 4 February 2024
- angeleyes27Brigantine, New Jersey5,344 contributionsOrnate basilicaThis basilica's 14th century bell tower is the highest bell tower in Rome. It opens at 7am & you must go through security. When we came here at 7am, we were the only ones inside. The museum here opens at 9:30am. Several funeral monuments are here. It is very ornate.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 February 2024
- Peter CIsland of Malta, Malta3,167 contributionsMagnificent Major Papal BasilicaThe Major Papal Basilica is one of the seven pilgramage churches of Rome and only one of four that can boast the title "Major". It is a very important Catholic Church. It is impressive both inside and out from its stunning facade to its interior design, artworks and decorations. Be sure to admire the ornate ceiling as you are looking at the nave, the Baptistery, Nativity scene and the Sistine and Paolina chapels.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 February 2024
- MarcoGThe Hague, The Netherlands3 contributionsBasilica great. Extra tour waste of moneyPositive : The Basilica was everything you expect and more. Great to visit. Negative : They offer an extra paid tour of a section not open to the public. Don’t go. Waste of money. Firstly it is no where as impressive as the main church. The tour only lasts 15 min and the tour guide just walks around with her phone playing a sequence of recorded information and then stands and points at things on the wall. You can’t hear what’s being said in the phone unless you are virtually on top of the tour guide and in all the tour is no more than 100m long. We paid €18 for a family of fourVisited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 February 2024
- Roberta11 contributionsBeautiful spiritual, artistic and human experience!The basilica is majestic, the mosaics are wonderful. A journey through time from Arnolfo di Cambio to Bernini! There is also a tour service for the lodge and the archaeological area. The staff were very kind and helpful! Maria for the loggia, Francesca for the archaeological area, Giulia and Giulia for the directions and advice. Wonderful experience!Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 6 March 2024
- YanTobixParis, France87 contributionsOne of the four major basilicas of RomeVery beautiful basilica with a majestic interior which contains a splendid set of mosaics. The gold coffered ceiling is magnificent. Note that many priests provide visitors who wish to do so with the opportunity to confess.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 March 2024
- MILOUWNew York City, New York1,419 contributionsLandmark Roman BasilicaVery large basilica being partly cordoned off due to renovations. Yet the Central nave bordered by huge columns is quite impressive and boasts sumptuous marble floors and golden gilded ceilings. The chapel on the right is equally rich in baroque decorations. Behind the altar the very old mosaics are unfortunately very hard to seeVisited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 2 April 2024
- Willian LopesJoinville, SC402 contributionsMaybe the most beautiful church I have ever seenEven though you are not christian or catholic, I strongly recommend the visit to the Basilic. It is not only a religious place, but an art marvel, near Termini station, which makes it a must do visit in Rome, specially if you are there during a layover (my case). Although there is no entry fee, I also recommend donating or buying something from the store inside (many beautiful gifts). I assure you won't not regret visiting the Santa Maria Maggiore BasilicVisited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 9 April 2024
- Lasse B.Trysil Municipality, Norway58 contributionsMagnificent. Worth a detour if you have to.Fantastic church, absolutely incredible inside. Powerful. Magnificent. Rome has beautiful churches around every corner, but this one stands strong as a good number 2 behind St. Peter's Basilica.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 April 2024
- ColetteBeirut, Lebanon726 contributionsImpressiveThe entrance yo the cathedral is free, you can rent an audio guide outside if you like. I've seen a lot of cathedrals in my life, but I was speechless in this one. The beauty, the masterpieces, the details, the size, and better still, the humbleness one feels in front of such a marvel. Not to be missed.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
16,618 reviews
Excellent
12,513
Very good
3,589
Average
461
Poor
43
Terrible
13
dapper777
Monaco68,217 contributions
Apr 2020 • Friends
We think this is our all time favorite church in Rome.
What to say...
One of the four basilicas of Rome.
It is the gateway to the Esquilino district, located on the side of the Monti district.
The ceiling, the altar, the bell tower, the mosaics ... it's all so UNIQUE.
One of the obligatory stops when we are in Rome for a prayer.
Always.
From orbiscatholicus. blogspot :
"The most important church in the city of Rome dedicated to Our Lady is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, erected around the year 352, during the reign of Pope Liberius. (352-366) According to legend, a member of an aristocratic family, John and his wife were childless and prayed that the Blessed Mother might designate an heir to bequeath their wealth. They were favored with a dream in which Our Lady appeared to them on the night of August 4-5. She requested that they build a church in her honor on the Esquiline hill and the sign to accompany this dream is that the exact location would be marked out in snow.
During that hot summer evening, a miraculous snowfall traced the form of the basilica on the hill. Our Lady also appeared to Pope Liberius in a dream that same night so that he too could arrive at the location to see the miraculous snowfall. Many people gathered to see the unusual event of snow glistening in the August sun. Upon awakening, John and his wife rushed to the site and Pope Liberius arrived in solemn procession.
Realizing that the snow marked the exact location of the church, the people staked off the area before the snow melted. The basilica was completed within two years and consecrated by Pope Liberius; that is why it is sometimes referred to as the Basilica Liberiana, after the Pope who consecrated it.
The liturgical feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major is celebrated each year on the fifth of August. On that day, a beautiful custom is kept each year in which a shower of white rose petals are dropped from the ceiling to commemorate the miraculous snowfall".
Not to be missed.
What to say...
One of the four basilicas of Rome.
It is the gateway to the Esquilino district, located on the side of the Monti district.
The ceiling, the altar, the bell tower, the mosaics ... it's all so UNIQUE.
One of the obligatory stops when we are in Rome for a prayer.
Always.
From orbiscatholicus. blogspot :
"The most important church in the city of Rome dedicated to Our Lady is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, erected around the year 352, during the reign of Pope Liberius. (352-366) According to legend, a member of an aristocratic family, John and his wife were childless and prayed that the Blessed Mother might designate an heir to bequeath their wealth. They were favored with a dream in which Our Lady appeared to them on the night of August 4-5. She requested that they build a church in her honor on the Esquiline hill and the sign to accompany this dream is that the exact location would be marked out in snow.
During that hot summer evening, a miraculous snowfall traced the form of the basilica on the hill. Our Lady also appeared to Pope Liberius in a dream that same night so that he too could arrive at the location to see the miraculous snowfall. Many people gathered to see the unusual event of snow glistening in the August sun. Upon awakening, John and his wife rushed to the site and Pope Liberius arrived in solemn procession.
Realizing that the snow marked the exact location of the church, the people staked off the area before the snow melted. The basilica was completed within two years and consecrated by Pope Liberius; that is why it is sometimes referred to as the Basilica Liberiana, after the Pope who consecrated it.
The liturgical feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major is celebrated each year on the fifth of August. On that day, a beautiful custom is kept each year in which a shower of white rose petals are dropped from the ceiling to commemorate the miraculous snowfall".
Not to be missed.
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RebeccaHTraveller
Crawley, UK114 contributions
Feb 2020
We were staying just along the road from this Basilica and decided to visit it one afternoon after going to some of the busy tourist areas of the city. I can highly recommend it - there were no queues and we went straight in (you have to put your bag through a security scanner as you enter), lovely peaceful atmosphere and a great deal of beautiful artwork inside, to rival some of the more touristy attractions. It is also free to enter.
Written 24 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daniel
Mexico City, Mexico20 contributions
Oct 2020
The legend is saying, The Maria Maggiore Basilica was built in the 4th century A.D., on the place marked by Virgin Mary, who appared in dreams of the believer (who was praying and asking her about place he wish to build a church in her name), and at the same time she appeared in the Pope's dreams with instructions the church has to be built on the place marked with snow. In the same night, the unusual snow in the middle of August, marked a place on Esquilino Rome hill, and both, believer and Pope, knows imidiately where the church has to be built. At the same night, on the hill marked with snow, the lines for church were made, and by those given instructions, the Maria Maggiore Basilica was constructed in next years. Through years the Basilica was many times reconstructed (otherwise finally completed in year 1743) till nowdays shape, and is otherwise the first Basilica consecrated to Virgin Mary (in year 434 A. D. on 5th August by Pope Sixtus III.), right
The Basilica has a status as a Papal Major Basilica (one of the only four that exists), and is one of the Seven Great Pilgrim Churches of Rome (a Seven Church Walk tradition), which means the Basilica is very important and therefore must visit touristic att
The Basilica has a status as a Papal Major Basilica (one of the only four that exists), and is one of the Seven Great Pilgrim Churches of Rome (a Seven Church Walk tradition), which means the Basilica is very important and therefore must visit touristic att
Written 21 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek B
Somerton, UK25 contributions
Jan 2020
Although our visit was in late January the crowds were horrendous.
It was worse than being in the London underground rush hour on a busy Friday night. Couldn't actually stop to study or see anything. What it must be like in the height of the season I dread to think. I'm told by a resident of Rome the the ques to get in can be up to three hours.
It was worse than being in the London underground rush hour on a busy Friday night. Couldn't actually stop to study or see anything. What it must be like in the height of the season I dread to think. I'm told by a resident of Rome the the ques to get in can be up to three hours.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flyingred
Buckinghamshire, UK430 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited late afternoon on a Friday. The church was busy with two masses in side chapels and several priests in their booths ready to take confessions.
The exterior is very grand and the interior is stunningly beautiful. With the smell of incense drifting through the basilica it was easy sense the spirituality present in the building. If you're in the area make a point of visiting this beautiful church to soak up the atmosphere.
The exterior is very grand and the interior is stunningly beautiful. With the smell of incense drifting through the basilica it was easy sense the spirituality present in the building. If you're in the area make a point of visiting this beautiful church to soak up the atmosphere.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andy s
Cleethorpes, UK99 contributions
Jun 2022
We bought omnion tickets and thought we could "skip the Queue"! No chance. Everybody is in a very long queue to get in and it is swelteringly hot. There are free water refills, if you have a container. Also, when we enquired about the tour nobody mentioned the fact that shoulders/arms must be covered up. There are street sellers selling thin scarf type coverings which most women are forced to buy if they want to gain access. once inside the decor is, as you might expect, fabulous. We went there on the open toop bus tour, which was difficult to find but we eventually found the boarding points and used a three day pass to good effect.
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria L
Kansas City, MO328 contributions
Aug 2022
This is a stunning basilica with a short security wait before entering. All the chapels are full of art, you are able to purchase masses for loved ones written in a beautiful velum card and mass is offered on the hour in differing chapels . It was over 100 degrees outside but peace and tranquility reigned inside, our mass was well attended for 11am with organ music. Confessions are offered in multiple languages and all the brothers and staff we interacted with were warm and friendly. Outside they have cold bottled water for a euro and a cold frozen treat named after a miracle. A beautiful way to start your day.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,378 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This Basilica is one of the many buildings in Rome I was really thrilled by. The front and back of the church is so detailed and beautiful. I didnt enter because at the time I visited, there was security screening and didnt felt like going through that. So I opted to just admire from the outside. On both sides many people hang out and just enjoy the scenery.
I will also recommend a visit to this church it's about 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum and about 8 minutes from the Termini station.
I will also recommend a visit to this church it's about 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum and about 8 minutes from the Termini station.
Written 13 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,077 contributions
May 2019
A magnificent basilica built according to legend in a place where, as announced by the Mother of God, snow fell in Rome.When you walk inside, your eyes immediately go up. Ceiling is beautiful. The three-nave interior of the basilica is 86.0 m long. The floor made of porphyry and marble . The Renaissance ceiling designed by Giuliano da Sangallo was decorated with gold brought by Christopher Columbus. Along the walls of the nave, above the columns, there are mosaics from the 5th century depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The rainbow arch is decorated with mosaic stripes made in the years 432–440. They show scenes from the New Testament, creating a series dedicated to the Mother of God. At the height of the main altar there are two chapels. The chapel on the right is the chapel of Sixtus V, it is also called the Sistine chapel. The chapel on the left, similar in assumptions, was built according to the design of Flaminio Ponzio, it was completed in 1613. Inside are also the relics of the Crib of the Nativity and a beautiful baptistery. One of the four most important basilicas in Rome . Majestic both outside and inside. Plan at least a couple of hours to have a meaningful visit.A must see for any visitor to Rome. Free to enter.
Written 16 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KAB in Virginia
Virginia5 contributions
Feb 2020
Much of this Basilica's ornature is beautiful mosaics. They sparkle and give the feeling of life from the works of art. This church has a rich and interesting history and should be best viewed by someone who knows here inside and out.
To those who light candles - there's a trick. Rather than use real candles in many places there are electronic tapers. When you drop the donation into the box, a light automatically appears. Don't forget to watch or you won't know which candle lit. It took a few churches, but we finally figured that out.
To those who light candles - there's a trick. Rather than use real candles in many places there are electronic tapers. When you drop the donation into the box, a light automatically appears. Don't forget to watch or you won't know which candle lit. It took a few churches, but we finally figured that out.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I visit the archeological area without guide?
Written 17 October 2024
Hi! Does anyone know a book or an app I can purchase that could guide me through the arts in the churches of Rome? I don't want to get a tour guide and would love to read or hear about the art independently. Thank you :)
Written 4 May 2023
There is a book titled Churches in Rome but there are probably a lot of smaller churches not listed. There is a small church not far from the above Basilica which is nice to see and open 9 - 11.
Written 5 May 2023
What times are the masses on Sunday?
Written 30 August 2022
From the Vatican website:
Sundays and Feasts:
9:00 am – Liturgy of the Hours
10:00 am – Holy Mass of the Canons (in Latin)
4:40 pm – Holy Rosary
5:15 pm – Vespers
Written 31 August 2022
Do you need to buy a tour through a third company, or do they offer the tour inside the Basilica?
Written 19 July 2022
The entrance to the church itself is free.
No need for reservations.
There may be a wait to get past the security guards.
There is a museum there and some galleries that charge a few euros to get in.
Written 20 July 2022
¿ esta permitido hacer fotos?
Written 5 January 2020
I am afraid I do knit know. We were tourists in October and not Rome resident
Written 16 December 2019
is there a mass i can attend on christmas eve or christmas day 2019?
Written 15 December 2019
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