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Church · Roma, Lazio
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
One of Rome's four papal basilicas, near Termini station, with 5th-century mosaics, a gilded ceiling and the tallest bell tower in the city.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady and one of the four papal basilicas. Tradition says the Virgin indicated the site with a snowfall in the middle of August on the Esquiline Hill, and the feast of Our Lady of the Snows is still marked every 5 August with a shower of white petals.
It is one of the churches that best preserves the structure of 5th-century basilicas. The mosaics in the nave and the triumphal arch, from the time of Pope Sixtus III, are among the oldest in Rome and depict stories from the Old Testament and the childhood of Jesus. The coffered wooden ceiling is gilded, and the floor is marble in the Cosmatesque style.
The side chapels are large and richly decorated: the Cappella Paolina houses the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, much venerated by Romans, and the Cappella Sistina (not to be confused with the one in the Vatican) was made for Pope Sixtus V. Beneath the high altar is the reliquary with fragments attributed to the manger of Bethlehem. Gian Lorenzo Bernini is buried in the basilica, and the tomb of Pope Francis is also there.
The Romanesque bell tower, about 75 meters tall, is the highest in Rome. The basilica also has a museum and an underground archaeological area, with paid visits and their own schedules. To enter, shoulders and knees must be covered.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
45 minutes to 1 hour; more time if you visit the museum or the underground areas.
Best time
In the morning, right after opening, before the groups arrive. It's 5 minutes from Termini station, so it's a good visit for the day of arrival or departure from Rome.
How to get there
On foot from Roma Termini station (5–10 minutes) or from Cavour metro station (line B). Many buses stop at Piazza dell'Esquilino and Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Tip
Entrance to the basilica is free; the museum and archaeological area require tickets. There is security and dress-code control at the entrance: bring a shawl to cover your shoulders. Combine it with San Pietro in Vincoli and the Palazzo Massimo, both within walking distance.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Is Santa Maria Maior near Termini station?
Yes — it's a 5 to 10-minute walk from Roma Termini station. It's an easy visit to fit into your arrival or departure day.
What should you not miss at Santa Maria Maior?
The 5th‑century mosaics in the nave and triumphal arch, the gilded ceiling, the Pauline Chapel with the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, and the reliquary of the manger under the altar.
What is the dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered. There's an entrance check, so bring a scarf or light jacket in summer.
Where is Pope Francis's tomb?
In the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior itself, where other popes and the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini are also buried.