The Basilica of Saint Mary Major (La Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Italian) is one of four Papal basilicas in Rome. The status of a Papal basilica means that these churches have a papal altar, special privileges and the Pope himself sometimes serves mass there. This Basilica is the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome, what means that it the largest of all those dedicated to Saint Mary.
The Basilica is situated very close to the central railway station Termini on the Esquiline Hill and is famous for its Sistine Chapel, not to be confused with the Vatican Basilica.
The legend tells how Pope Sixtus III erected the church on the Esquilline Hill according to a dream he had. In that dream, the Madonna told him to build a church in the place where snow fell the next day. On the 5th of August, snow miraculously fell exactly where the Basilica stands today. That is why it has another name, Our Lady of the Snows, and every year on 5th August there is held a celebration with white petals falling down from the cupola.
The Basilica was built in the Vth century over the preexisting church of the Nicene Creed. Pope Sixtus III built the new Basilica with three naves divided by 21 columns, and today we see it in its almost original structure with some small changes after the earthquake of 1348. The façade was realized in the XIIth century, with several later reconstructions. The XIVth century bell tower is the highest in Rome now, at 75m tall.
The interior of the Basilica amazes visitors with its beauty. The first thing to notice is its rich mosaics of Late Antique Vth century Art. The mosaics on the triumphal arch and nave represent scenes of Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as Old Testament events.
Under the Basilica’s altar is the Crypt of the Nativity containing wood from the Holy Crib. There is also a tomb of Saint Jerome who was the first to translate the Bible into Latin.
On the right transept of the church the Sistine Chapel is situated, named after Pope Sixtus V, while the most famous Vatican Sistine Chapel was named after Sixtus IV. The Chapel was decorated in the XVIth century with marble and bronze gilded statues, with frescoes and paintings.
The Sforza Chapel of the church was realized according to the drawing of Michelangelo Buonarotti.
In the XXth century, to solve the humidity problems, excavations began under the church’s pavement. During this work, the quarters of the IInd and IIIrd centuries were found, and today it is possible to visit these via the Basilica’s museum.
The Basilica is situated very close to the central railway station Termini on the Esquiline Hill and is famous for its Sistine Chapel, not to be confused with the Vatican Basilica.
The legend tells how Pope Sixtus III erected the church on the Esquilline Hill according to a dream he had. In that dream, the Madonna told him to build a church in the place where snow fell the next day. On the 5th of August, snow miraculously fell exactly where the Basilica stands today. That is why it has another name, Our Lady of the Snows, and every year on 5th August there is held a celebration with white petals falling down from the cupola.
The Basilica was built in the Vth century over the preexisting church of the Nicene Creed. Pope Sixtus III built the new Basilica with three naves divided by 21 columns, and today we see it in its almost original structure with some small changes after the earthquake of 1348. The façade was realized in the XIIth century, with several later reconstructions. The XIVth century bell tower is the highest in Rome now, at 75m tall.
The interior of the Basilica amazes visitors with its beauty. The first thing to notice is its rich mosaics of Late Antique Vth century Art. The mosaics on the triumphal arch and nave represent scenes of Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as Old Testament events.
Under the Basilica’s altar is the Crypt of the Nativity containing wood from the Holy Crib. There is also a tomb of Saint Jerome who was the first to translate the Bible into Latin.
On the right transept of the church the Sistine Chapel is situated, named after Pope Sixtus V, while the most famous Vatican Sistine Chapel was named after Sixtus IV. The Chapel was decorated in the XVIth century with marble and bronze gilded statues, with frescoes and paintings.
The Sforza Chapel of the church was realized according to the drawing of Michelangelo Buonarotti.
In the XXth century, to solve the humidity problems, excavations began under the church’s pavement. During this work, the quarters of the IInd and IIIrd centuries were found, and today it is possible to visit these via the Basilica’s museum.
