Churches of Rome

There are literally hundreds of churches in Rome - below is an index to some of the most notable among them. Links lead to full-length articles with photos, visitor information and detailed maps.

	Domine Quo Vadis Chapel This small chapel on the Appian Way marks the spot where St. Peter, fleeing persecution, saw the risen Christ. Peter asked, Domine quo vadis? ("Lord, where are you going?").		Gesu This huge and very Baroque church is the headquarters of the Jesuits and has served as the model for Jesuit churches everywhere. The tomb of St. Ignatius, the order's founder, is topped by the largest piece of lapis lazuli in existence. Next door are the rooms where the saint lived for 12 years.
	Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura Dedicated to a young woman who was martyred in 303 AD, this church was originally built by Constantine and rebuilt by in the 7th century. It has a Byzantine apse mosaic and crowd-free catacombs underneath.		Santa Cecilia in Trastavere This church and convent stands on the site of the 2nd-century home of Cecilia, the patron saint of music. Her body was found incorrupt in 1599. Upstairs is a 13th-century fresco; downstairs, you can tour her Roman house.
	San Clemente This lovely 12th-century basilica incorporates two previous sacred buildings: downstairs is a church built in 392, with a frescoed narthex, and even lower down is a 2nd-century Mithraic temple.		Santa Costanza This fascinating little round church was built c.360 AD to house the tombs of Constantine's daughter and sister. Its ceilings are covered in some of the earliest Christian mosaics to be found anywhere.
	SS Cosma e Damiano This ancient church in the Imperial Forum contains ruins of a Roman temple (overlooked through a glass wall in the back) and some wonderful early Christian mosaics in the apse.		Santa Croce in Gerusalemme This historic basilica near St. John Lateran is overlooked by too many visitors. Incorporating the private chapel of Helen, Constantine's mother, it incorporates the imperial palace and houses impressive relics from the Holy Land.
	San Giovanni in Laterano Dedicated to both John the Evangelist and John the Baptist, St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome and one of the city's four major basilicas. It includes a lovely 13th-century cloister and an ancient baptistery.		San Lorenzo fuori le Mura Near Termini station is this major pilgrimage basilica, featuring a columned portico, 6th-century mosaic, catacombs, and lovely 12th-century cloister. It is dedicated to Lawrence, who was martyred by roasting on a gridiron.
	Santa Maria degli Angeli This interesting basilica on the Piazza della Repubblica incorporates the remains of the extensive Baths of Diocletian. Inside are works of medieval and modern art and an astronomical gnomon.		Santa Maria in Trastevere This church is held to be the first place of Christian worship in Rome, built where a fountain of oil sprung up on the day of Christ's birth. Inside are many excellent mosaics.
	Santa Maria Maggiore Built on the site of a miraculous snowfall, this major basilica dates from 420 AD. A huge and impressive space, it is lined with ancient mosaics and contains many important relics, including a piece of the crib of Christ.		Santa Maria in Trastevere This church is held to be the first place of Christian worship in Rome, built where a fountain of oil sprung up on the day of Christ's birth. Inside are many excellent mosaics.
	Santa Maria sopra Minerva Said to be Rome's only Gothic church, this 13th-century basilica was built over a temple to Minerva. Inside, it contains many art treasures as well as the venerated tomb of St. Catherine of Siena.		San Paolo fuori le Mura This spectacular major basilica shelters the bones of the Apostle Paul. It also boasts beautiful cloisters, a golden mosaiced exterior, a huge collection of artifacts discovered nearby, and a museum.
	San Pietro in Vincoli This early Christian church houses the venerated chains that held St. Peter while he was imprisoned in Rome before being freed by an angel.		San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica) For Catholics, St. Peter's is the most sacred site outside of the Holy Land. It centers around the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle and is probably the largest church in the world.
	Santa Prassede A hidden gem near Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Prassede is a 9th-century basilica with glorious Byzantine mosaics filling a side chapel. Also here is a piece of the scourging column of Christ.		Santa Sabina Santa Sabina is Rome's best remaining example of an early Christian church. It dates from 422, and its original wooden doors are still intact.
	Santo Stefano Rotondo Dedicated to St. Stephen the first martyr, this is one of the largest and oldest round churches in existence. Dating from the 5th century, it is a fascinating church that reflects both local and foreign influences.		Sistine Chapel This world-famous chapel painted by Michelangelo is still used for papal elections. Learn some history and explore a complete photo gallery of its art in our article on the Sistine Chapel.