Basilica of Saint Mary Major
The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a treasure of art and spirituality, was erected in the 4th century at the behest of Pope Liberius, on the site of an ancient pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele.
Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to the pontiff, indicating the place to build the Church, marked by a miraculous snowfall.
The Basilica, originally dedicated to the profession of faith of the Council of Nicaea, underwent profound transformations between the 16th and 17th centuries, with the addition of the majestic Sistine and Pauline Chapels, commissioned respectively by Sixtus V and Paul V, and the palace adjacent to the facade.
The coffered ceiling, dating back to the pontificate of Alexander VI Borgia (1492-1503), is embellished with gold from the Americas, a gift from Queen Isabella of Spain.
The Basilica is famous for having hosted the first celebration of Christmas Mass, a tradition that the pontiffs have perpetuated over the centuries.
The interior of the Basilica is a succession of artistic styles, with Renaissance decorations that blend harmoniously with Baroque elements in the domes and chapels. Among the precious relics kept here, the remains of Saint Matthias and Saint Jerome stand out, as well as the remains of the Holy Crib of Jesus, preserved in a gold and silver reliquary in the crypt beneath the altar.
The facade, dominated by the elegant medieval bell tower, one of the tallest in Rome, bears witness to the long history of the Basilica. In the 13th century, the bell tower housed the bell La Sperduta, now kept in the Vatican.
The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a hymn to Marian faith, where history intertwines with legend, offers visitors an experience of extraordinary beauty and spirituality, a place where the miracle of the snow continues to shine through the centuries.
