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Rome » Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore

Viewed from Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
(a photo by dese)

Santa Maria Maggiore or St. Mary Major is one the biggest churches in Rome and is among the city’s four basilicas. The other three basilica churches in Rome are St. Peter, St. John Lateran and St. Paul outside the City Walls (San Paolo fuori le Mura). Santa Maria Maggiore was built in 420 AD on a place outlined by mysterious snowfall in the summer of 358. Today, this is the most beautiful basilica church in Rome, where thousands of pilgrims come and the largest from all Christian temples devoted to St. Mary in the city.

Viewed from the other side
(a photo by jamesdude)

The first you will see when step in is the sumptuous ceiling, supported by 40 monumental columns, taken from other ancient Roman structures. Almost all surface of the walls and the ceilings is covered by rich decoration. The impressive mosaic in the apse is created by the famous 13th-century painter and mosaic maker Jacopo Torriti. It is considered to be the highest point in the development of the medieval mosaic tradition in Rome. The 5th-century mosaic which decorates the main nave is not less beautiful. Its narration is even more overall then this of the Torriti's work. Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel, located in the right transept. Being almost a separate church in the church, it was constructed by Domenico Fontana to host the exquisite tomb of Pope Sixtus V, who lived in 16th century. The chapel is decorated with paintings and reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the pope. Outside the Sistine Chapel and right next to it you can see the family tomb where was buried the famous Baroque sculptor and architect of 17th century - Gian Lorenzo Bernini. At the other side of the nave is located the Pauline Chapel, completed in 1611. This chapel was commissioned by two popes - Paul V and Clement VIII. It is known that pope St. Pius V prayed here during the sea battle at Lepanto, when the allied Christian fleet managed to defeat the Ottoman ships and save the Western Christian World from a Muslim expansion.

In the main altar are kept the relics which attract many pilgrims here. These are five wooden fragments attached by iron. It is believe that they are a part of the Holy Crib, brought to Rome by Christian refugees who left Jerusalem when the Muslims conquered it in 7th century. This religious treasure can be seen only on the Christmas Eve. To the right from the altar is located one of the most beautiful grave monuments. It decorates the tomb of the 13th-century Spanish cardinal Gonzalo Rodriguez Hinojosa. The monument has a fascinating marble incrustation and mosaic, both created by Giovanni de Cosma.