Santa Maria Maggiore

The basilica was erected in the IV century but underwent many remakings in the course of the years. The building is characterized by different architectonic styles. Placed in its homonymous square, its construction is due to a dream which Pope Liberio had the 5th of August 356 A.D., during the night: the Virgin invited him to build a church in the place where the following morning he would have found snow. The miracle came true because, the day after, it snowed on the place where the basilica is placed today.

Built in 1375-76 in Romanesque style, the bell tower is the highest in Rome (about 75 metres high).The internal structure, unique among the patriarchal basilicas, has kept a shape similar to the original one. It is 86 metres high, has three aisles which are divided by a series of monolithic columns. On these columns you can admire Ionic capitals which directly support the trabeation with a mosaic frieze of the V century. The lacunar ceiling is attributed to Giuliano from Sangallo and is adorned with the emblem of Alexander VI's Taurus. Its floor, which recalls the style of the Cosmati Family, dates back to the half of the XII century. Inside, you can find valuable works of art by many Italian masters. Among these, you can admire the works by D. Fontana who realized the Sistine Chapel by order of Sisto V.