Major Basilica

Rome’s Four Papal Basilicas

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With nearly 1000 churches in Rome, you will not have the time on your trip to admire and take a peek at all of them. But if you want to see or visit the most important ones, then you should not skip the Papal Basilicas. Rome has 4 Major Basilica – the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major).

The four major basilicas of Rome are some of the most important churches in the world. St. John Lateran, St Peter’s Basilica, St Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major have been considered major basilicas since the Middle Ages. These churches are each associated with a different Patriarchal See, and are the only churches that may prefix their titles with the adjective “Sacrosancta” (most holy). All four of these basilicas are pilgrimage sites and have claims as the Mother Church of the world. St John Lateran is the only one considered an “archbasilica” because it is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome.

Visiting all four major basilicas is a part of the Roman Jubilee, and each has a special “holy door” that is opened by the Pope during Jubilee years. These four basilicas are some of the most important churches in the world and attract millions of visitors each year. Though the titles of Patriarchal basilicas have been replaced by Papal basilicas, their importance remains.

🚩 Dress Code: Visitors who enter the Basilica have to be appropriately dressed as it is a place of worship. Therefore, all adults must wear clothing that is knee-length and covers the shoulders. The Dress Code is strictly enforced and anyone who does not comply will be turned away at the door.

Major Basilica – The four great churches of Rome

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Not many visitors will decide to go and explore this beautiful church, which is the oldest of the Papal Basilicas. Despite being located outside of the Vatican’s walls, the Lateran Basilica is still the property of the Holy See. As it is the mother church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the only one authorized to use the title ‘Archbasilica’. It is also Rome’s Cathedral and where the cathedral (bishop’s seat) is located – the Pope is the Bishop of Rome. Therefore, this is the most important church and outranks all others in the Christian Roman Catholic Church. The first church was built on Lateran family land by Emperor Constantine I in the 4th Century. However, much of today’s structure of the St. John Lateran Archbasilica dates back to the 17th and 18th Centuries when Alessandro Galilei constructed the imposing façade, while the particularly impressive interior is the work of Francesco Borromini.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The gigantic dome of this Major Basilica soars above the city, drawing people to the magnificent church that lies beneath it. St. Peter’s Square, which is overlooked by the Basilica, was created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th Century and has enormous columns on either side. The majestic façade of the Basilica was produced by Carlo Maderno using designs by Michelangelo. Some of St. Peter’s Basilica architects include Donato Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Carlo Maderno. St. Peter’s Basilica inside is simply breathtaking. A moment is needed to allow the eye to wander from the exquisite marble floors to the intricately decorated ceilings. Art lovers can admire the wonderful artworks which include Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s baldacchino (a massive carved bronze canopy placed over St. Peter’s tomb), Cathedra Petri (St. Peter’s throne) and the exquisite Pietà sculpture by Michelangelo, to mention a few.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Despite its location on Italian territory, this basilica belongs to the Holy See. Emperor Constantine I had a small church built over the tomb of the apostle, St. Paul, in 324 AD. Due to the vast numbers of pilgrims, it was demolished and replaced by an enormous basilica in 395 AD, which remained intact until most of it was destroyed by fire in 1823. In 1825 Pope Leo XII decided to rebuild the Basilica, appealing for and receiving assistance from all over the world including non-Catholic countries. Today, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is second in size to St. Peter’s. The Basilica has a huge atrium built by Guglielmo Calderini with a large statue of St. Paul by Giuseppe Obici standing in its center. The mosaics covering the building’s façade are by Filippo Agricola and Nicola Consoni, while the superb bronze door was created by Antonio Maraini. The immense size of the Basilica can be appreciated from its interior – 80 columns line the nave. Just above the columns is a row of medallions holding tondi of all the popes, starting with St. Peter. As there are very few medallions left, some say that when the last medallion is filled the world will end.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Not only is this Basilica one of the four Papal Basilicas of Rome but as its name implies, St. Mary Major is also the most important Marian church in the city. The Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is located atop the Esquiline Hill and is sometimes called Our Lady of Snow in reference to an ancient legend. The church was commissioned by Pope Sixtus III (432-440) and most of its original structure remains intact although some embellishments have been made. The current façade – designed and created by Ferdinando Fuga in 1743 – covers an earlier façade dating back to the 12^th Century that was later adorned with mosaics by Filippo Rusuti in the 13^th Century. The mosaics can still be seen today and depict a miraculous snowfall and, in fact, a celebration is held every year on August 5^th in remembrance of the Miracle of the Snows. The Basilica’s vast interior is divided by thirty-six columns above which thirty-six Old Testament scenes are depicted in mosaics. The 5^th Century mosaics covering the triumphal arch and nave give visitors a glimpse of life in that period. Other important artworks to see in this Basilica include the Santa Maria Maggiore Nativity Scene designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (13^th Century), Giuliano Sangallo’s coffered ceiling (1450), the Holy Crib relic, the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and many more. A tour of the of museum is also interesting as it is a treasure trove of the Basilica’s most precious items such as chalices, holy relics, vestments, and masterpieces like Sodoma’s “Salita al Calvario” and Beccafumi’s “Madonna con Bambino”and “Sant’Antonio da Padova”.

Discover the Four Major Basilicas of Rome: A Journey Through History and Spirituality!