Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
4.5
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Read more
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro
How to get there
- Termini • 6 min walk
- Vittorio Emanuele • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,099 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,217 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
16,507 reviews
Excellent
12,427
Very good
3,564
Average
461
Poor
43
Terrible
13
Victoria L
Kansas City, MO325 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 August 11, 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.
andy s
Cleethorpes, UK93 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 August 7, 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.
Mrs Harrison
Weymouth, UK21 contributions
Feb 2023
AMAZING !!
If I am honest I originally wasn't bothered if we went here or not (just another church right?? sooo wrong) but it was near to our hotel so we popped by on our last day....
So glad we did, this basilica is jaw droppingly beautiful. I actually had to sit down to take it all in, so many beautiful frescos and statues everywhere you looked, the detail was incredible. Every square inch was just decorated to the maximum level, the kind of place where you cannot believe its beauty.
The dome itself was inticately painted all the way up to the very top.
Really well worth a visit, it's free to enter, you do have to put your bags through a scanner but when we were there last week there were no queues, neither was the basilica crowded. Plenty of benches inside to sit and have a moment of quiet contemplation and there are public loo's in through the gift shop which was great.
Please do go to this outstanding basillica when you are in Rome
If I am honest I originally wasn't bothered if we went here or not (just another church right?? sooo wrong) but it was near to our hotel so we popped by on our last day....
So glad we did, this basilica is jaw droppingly beautiful. I actually had to sit down to take it all in, so many beautiful frescos and statues everywhere you looked, the detail was incredible. Every square inch was just decorated to the maximum level, the kind of place where you cannot believe its beauty.
The dome itself was inticately painted all the way up to the very top.
Really well worth a visit, it's free to enter, you do have to put your bags through a scanner but when we were there last week there were no queues, neither was the basilica crowded. Plenty of benches inside to sit and have a moment of quiet contemplation and there are public loo's in through the gift shop which was great.
Please do go to this outstanding basillica when you are in Rome
Written February 22, 2023
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.
TheAviator0765
Ripon, UK500 contributions
Sep 2022
We were staying in accommodation overlooking Basilica di Santo Maria Maggiore, and with literally hundreds of such buildings to visit in Rome, it seemed logical to visit the one literally on our doorstep. But on stepping inside, it immediately became obvious that this Basilica is worth travelling some distance to see.
As it is a little off the beaten track, it was away from Rome’s classic tourist spots, and this makes visiting it a pleasant experience. It is indeed a spectacular building atopped with its tower and twin domes and fronted with impressive columns. We did not have to queue at all, just the standard security screening which we had become used to after a couple of days in the city.
Inside, the building is indeed spectacular with ancient mosaics and a ceiling as spectacular as I have ever seen. The grand central nave is flanked by a number of chapels for quiet reflection, and this indeed a revered place as the resting place for a number of Popes. Lovers of art will not be disappointed, with several masters on display.
You can make this a quick visit, or easily one of a few hours with self, group of personal tours available. And as the adjacent piazza is well served with bars and restaurants, this really is a recommended visit, off the beaten track.
As it is a little off the beaten track, it was away from Rome’s classic tourist spots, and this makes visiting it a pleasant experience. It is indeed a spectacular building atopped with its tower and twin domes and fronted with impressive columns. We did not have to queue at all, just the standard security screening which we had become used to after a couple of days in the city.
Inside, the building is indeed spectacular with ancient mosaics and a ceiling as spectacular as I have ever seen. The grand central nave is flanked by a number of chapels for quiet reflection, and this indeed a revered place as the resting place for a number of Popes. Lovers of art will not be disappointed, with several masters on display.
You can make this a quick visit, or easily one of a few hours with self, group of personal tours available. And as the adjacent piazza is well served with bars and restaurants, this really is a recommended visit, off the beaten track.
Written September 16, 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.
daniel
Mexico City, Mexico35 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 January 21, 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.
TTTT5
Boston, MA60 contributions
Dec 2022
This church is the one that could actually rival St. Peter's Basilica. Everything is beautiful, with chapels designed by Michaelangelo, a ceiling that is breathtaking, and they have Jesus' cradle. I didn't have time on this visit, but next time I'd plan on paying the fee to view the frescoes and the Bernini staircase. Bernini's tomb is in the chapel!
Written January 1, 2023
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.
FarAway733593
10 contributions
Jul 2022
The Basilica is a beautiful church. The paintings could take days to view, The alters made like no one does these days. Michelangelo work is there to view, It had monuments made for the Popes. Paintings to break your neck from looking up down and around. The size of the building is huge and its full of things to see. Worth the visit.
Written July 15, 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.
RebeccaHTraveller
Crawley, UK115 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 July 24, 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.
Andythebaggie
Birmingham, UK2,280 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This beautiful basilica dating from the 5th century is spectacularly decorated with fine art, I particularly enjoyed the Byzantine paintings. The building has been much added too over the centuries and the architecture is interesting, the campanile does look a bit out of sorts with its surroundings. As befits the burial place of several popes and a holy relic the surroundings are grand. It’s a working church too so it was busy on Sunday afternoon with several services going on in different chapels and priests in their boxes taking confessions. Entry is gratis too. Highly recommended.
Written April 25, 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.
dapper777
Monaco32,422 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 April 27, 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.
CheenAmr
Cairo, Egypt12 contributions
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 :)
cheshire3131
Runcorn, UK553 contributions
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.
Do you need to buy a tour through a third company, or do they offer the tour inside the Basilica?
Shalom M
Or Yehuda, Israel193 contributions
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.
JordiGiladell
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain820 contributions
¿ esta permitido hacer fotos?
José Aurelio
11 contributions
Sí está permitido hacer fotos.
What time are the christmas eve and christmas day masses?
David R
Letchworth Garden City, UK82 contributions
I am afraid I do knit know. We were tourists in October and not Rome resident
is there a mass i can attend on christmas eve or christmas day 2019?
joeyo
47 contributions
no idea, sorry.
How much time to allow for visit?
Jean B
Hartlepool, UK177 contributions
We were there over a hour it was very beautiful depending on your interest
trwtraveller
Singapore, Singapore23 contributions
I am torn between visiting Santa Maria Maggiore Church, Borghese Gallery and Capitoline Museums as I do not have enough time to spend in Rome. What do you recommend? And if anyone says church, justify why would it be better?
Stephanie C
Mundelein, IL1,426 contributions
I didn’t get to visit The Borghese galley because it was too far away from everything. The Santa Maria is about a 10-15 walk from the colosseum . I used my navigation on my phone to help me get the most out of my time and miles. You can also walk to the Trevi Fountain from the Colosseum. Safe travels..
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Frequently Asked Questions about Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- We recommend booking Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 81 Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore:
- (0.02 mi) Apt epoca Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
- (0.02 mi) Rome: beautiful apartment in the famous city
- (0.02 mi) Casa dell'Amicizia
- (0.03 mi) Mecenate Palace Hotel
- (0.03 mi) Ora Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore:
- (0.01 mi) Antico Caffè Santamaria
- (0.02 mi) Cottini
- (0.03 mi) La Terrazza Dei Papi
- (0.03 mi) Bar Cottini
- (0.03 mi) Casa Maria
- Attractions near Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore:
- (0.01 mi) La Colonna di Santa Maria Maggiore
- (0.01 mi) Fontana di Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
- (0.02 mi) Rosario
- (0.03 mi) Old Station Pub
- (0.03 mi) Chiesa Cattolica Russa di Sant'Antonio all'Esquilino
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Information
Excellent Reviews | 12,409 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 3,565 |
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Photos | 10,733 |