Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

05. Oct, 2010 0 Comments

This is considered to be amongst one of the city’s greatest basilicas. It features well preserved Byzantine interiors, hidden behind a non descript 18th century exterior.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was built in the 5th century on the top of the Esquiline hill. The site was chosen after Pope Liberius was told in a dream to build where he found snow in Rome. The next morning the site was chosen. The snow fall is marked each year on the 5th August with the release of flower petals are released from the Basilica ceiling.

The present structure dates from about 5th Century AD although it was re-clad in the 18th century. A major feature is the mosaics that surround the nave, these date from the 5th century. It has been suggested that bringing a pair of binoculars would help you appreciate the detail. They depict biblical stories in cartoon form.

In the Capella Sistina is buried Popes Sixtus V and Pius V. Bernini and his father are also buried here.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is also known as the Liberian Basilica and was the original meeting place of the early Roman Christians. When the papacy returned from its period in Avignon, this was the Palace of the Popes until they returned to the Vatican.

There is a museum beneath the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. This is open from 9:00am to 18:30pm, admission €4. There is an impressive collection of relics

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