Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Although our visit was in late January the crowds were horrendous.
It was worse than being in the London underground rush hour on a busy Friday night. Couldn't actually stop to study or see anything. What it must be like in the height of the season I dread to think. I'm told by a resident of Rome the the ques to get in can be up to three hours.

We visited late afternoon on a Friday. The church was busy with two masses in side chapels and several priests in their booths ready to take confessions.

The exterior is very grand and the interior is stunningly beautiful. With the smell of incense drifting through the basilica it was easy sense the spirituality present in the building. If you're in the area make a point of visiting this beautiful church to soak up the atmosphere.

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.

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.

This Basilica is one of the many buildings in Rome I was really thrilled by. The front and back of the church is so detailed and beautiful. I didnt enter because at the time I visited, there was security screening and didnt felt like going through that. So I opted to just admire from the outside. On both sides many people hang out and just enjoy the scenery.
I will also recommend a visit to this church it's about 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum and about 8 minutes from the Termini station.

A magnificent basilica built according to legend in a place where, as announced by the Mother of God, snow fell in Rome.When you walk inside, your eyes immediately go up. Ceiling is beautiful. The three-nave interior of the basilica is 86.0 m long. The floor made of porphyry and marble . The Renaissance ceiling designed by Giuliano da Sangallo was decorated with gold brought by Christopher Columbus. Along the walls of the nave, above the columns, there are mosaics from the 5th century depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The rainbow arch is decorated with mosaic stripes made in the years 432–440. They show scenes from the New Testament, creating a series dedicated to the Mother of God. At the height of the main altar there are two chapels. The chapel on the right is the chapel of Sixtus V, it is also called the Sistine chapel. The chapel on the left, similar in assumptions, was built according to the design of Flaminio Ponzio, it was completed in 1613. Inside are also the relics of the Crib of the Nativity and a beautiful baptistery. One of the four most important basilicas in Rome . Majestic both outside and inside. Plan at least a couple of hours to have a meaningful visit.A must see for any visitor to Rome. Free to enter.

Much of this Basilica's ornature is beautiful mosaics. They sparkle and give the feeling of life from the works of art. This church has a rich and interesting history and should be best viewed by someone who knows here inside and out.

To those who light candles - there's a trick. Rather than use real candles in many places there are electronic tapers. When you drop the donation into the box, a light automatically appears. Don't forget to watch or you won't know which candle lit. It took a few churches, but we finally figured that out.

Gday All

From the Corso you cant see any sign of the grandeur of this Cathedral but once you pass through the entry doors its simply Stunning.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is listed as one of the most significant Cathedrals to visit in Rome and I must have seen 20 or so in a few days and there are only a few which would get a similar or better reaction. There is of course St Peters for pure size and granduer and then I would include Basilica S Maria de gli Angeli e dei Martiri (near Republica) just for its scale but very "rustic" design.

Whichever Catherdral you visit ..you get the "air" I hope .. I do Santa Maria Maggiore is a very special place

Cheers

Robbee

A great self directed walking tour is to start at the Church of the Quirinale, which is on Via del Quirinale. Then head east towards the "4 fountains" which is on the corner of Via del Quirnale and Via delle Quattro Fontane. Then stop at the Church of the Four Fountains, which was designed by Borromini. After this head south on Via delle Quattro Fontane to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and then head down the tree lined and very pretty Via Merulana and end up at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. You will see four late renaissance fountains, a baroque church and two important cathedrals, one more beautiful than the other. It's a great way to see the sights of Rome in an unhurried way and make a mini-pilgrimage and praise God all at the same time. If you have time left over stop at the Scala Santa, which is across the street form St. John Lateran and watch the faithful climb the stairs on their knees as a way to show humility and worship. Make sure to check the opening times of all the churches as the first two have limited hours.

I owe my love of travel to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. This magnificent Basilica was the very first sight I have seen in Rome many years ago and was totally smitten by it. That was the moment I promised myself to return to Rome and Italy as many times as I could, and my husband and I kept this promise: this trip was my 8th trip to Italy and my 4th trip to Rome.

As always, the Basilica was pure magic and opulence, luxury and elegance The altar with its divine twisted columns took my breath away yet again as well all the chapels, and the beautiful statue of Madonna, the mosaics everything! I had no time left for the crypt, but I have been there before.

There was literally no security line in December and the Piazza was not too crowded. It was a great opportunity to take photos of the Basilica from different angles.