Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome
The Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) is one of the five great ancient basilicas of Rome, Italy. (The others are St Peter's, St Paul's, St Lawrence and St. John Lateran.)
St. Mary Major is the only Roman basilica which, in spite of several sizeable additions, has retained the core of its original structure largely intact, despite being damaged in the earthquake of 1348.
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was originally built over the site of a temple to Cybele. The original basilica was founded about 360 by Pope Liberius, on the site of an early apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to a patrician and his wife.
According to legend, the plan of the church was outlined by a miraculous snowfall on August 5, 358. The legend is commemorated every year on August 5, when white rose petals are dropped from the dome during the festal Mass.
Considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Rome after St Peter's, the present building dates from the time of Pope Sixtus III (432-440), and contains many ancient mosaics from this period.
The Athenian marble columns supporting the nave are even older, and either come from the first basilica, or from an antique Roman building. The medieval bell tower is the highest in Rome at 240 feet, (about 75 m.). The apse mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, is from the late 13th century, by Franciscan friar, Jacopo Torriti.
In the Pauline chapel is the famous icon of the Virgin Mary known as Salus Populi Romani, "Health of the Roman People," due to a miracle in which the icon helped keep plague from the city. The icon is at least a 1000 years old, and legend claims that it was painted from life by St. Luke the Evangelist.
Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church and 4th century author of the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible, is buried in the Bethlehem crypt, built to resemble the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
The high altar of this Patriarchal basilica is a papal altar, used only by the pope himself, or a priest given specific permission by him. It is traditional for the pope to lead a mass here on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, every August 15. A Chapter of Canons is resident in the basilica. In addition, Redemptorist and Dominican fathers serve the church and hear visitors' confessions.
The Basilica of St. Mary Major is open daily 7am to 7pm.
Admission is €4.
Nearest Metro: Termini.
More Information on Santa Maria Maggiore
- Santa Maria Maggiore - Fodor's Online Travel Guide
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore - Frommer's Attraction Review
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore - Lonely Planet Destination Guide
