The Churches and Basilicas of Rome

The Facts

Built : 1506 – 1667
Style : Italian Renaissance
Transports : Metro Line A - Ottaviano San Pietro

Traditionally believed to have been erected over the spot where Stant. Peter was buried after his martyrdom in Rome around 64 CE there is no question that this church will leave you completely lost for words! The Basilica is of enormous dimensions (capable of accommodating 20000 persons ) and the frescoed ceilings are breathtaking. It contains some of the finest pieces of art including the statue of La Pietà di Michelangelo and Il Baldacchino di Bernini(the papal alter).
Also the home of the Pope who can be seen at the papal audiences outside in the Piazza in front of the Basilica on Wednesday mornings ( weather and the pope's schedule permitting).
The church also has a dome observatory which although not free is well worth the visit due to it's amazing views of the city and down onto the square below with the colonnades designed by Bernini.
Another particular of the church is the Swiss guards which has become a symbol and an interesting photo opportunity ! All entrants to this army must be Swiss, catholic, and they must take the oath to the pope. This oath is always taken on the 26th May to commemorate the same day in 1527 when Swiss guards protected pope Clement VII during his escape to Castel Sant'Angelo when of 189 guards only 42 survived.
You can also book online your tour to St Peter's Basilica

Sant. Paul's within the walls

The Facts

Built : 4th Century
Transports : Metro Line B – Basilica San Paolo

The Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura was founded by the emperor constantine of the former roman empire and according to the tradition is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle of Jesus.
Although a little bit out of the city centre it can be easily reached by Metro and is well worth the visit.
Along the nave you can see mosaics of all the popes from Peter to John Paul II. And the basilica also boasts a cloister built between 1208– 1235 by the Vassalletti Family. The inscription in the mosaics is a poem describing the importance of the cloisters in the life of a monk and the use of cloisters as a place of meditation and study.

Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran)

The Facts

Transports : Metro Line A – San Giovanni

Although when one thinks of churches in Rome The vatican springs to mind but The Basilica San Giovanni is actually the oldest and the mother of all churches in Rome, ranking before the other basilicas.
What was originally used as the palace of constantine was later re-modelled to serve as the church of the pope in Rome and today it serves as Romes official cathedral. The arch-basilica which was built on the site of the original church and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Basilica St Mary in Trastevere

The Facts

Built :The first sanctuary was built in 221 and 227 by Pope Calixtus and later completed by Julius I

One of the smaller basilicas but one of the most beautiful Santa Maria in Trastevere stands cosily in the corner of one of Trasteveres main piazzas.
Trastevere is one of the oldest and most vibrant areas of the city showing the real roman life and offering a variety of some of the best pizzerias and trattorias that the city has to offer.
Santa Maria in Trastevere is the oldest church dedictaed to the Virgin and at this actual site 38 b.c a fountain of oil flowed for an entire day which was later interpreted by Christians as a sign of the birth of the Saviour. The church leaves a wondeful impression at first sight with an eye catching medieval mosaic that adorns the exterior and shows the Virgin and Child and a procession of 10 vergens approaching from both sides.

Basilica St Mary Major (Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore)

The Facts

Normal opening hours: 07:00 – 20:00
Transports : Metro Line B – Cavour
Built: The first church here was founded c. 350 by Pope Liberius

One of the 4 patriarchal basilicas of Rome and centrally located nearby to the colosseum. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary the church was first founded by Pope Liberius and financed by patrician and his wife who were childless and decided to leave their fortune to the Blessed Virgin who appeared to them in a dream and told them to build a church in her honour.
Should you stay here in August on August the 5th white rose petals are dropped from the dome during the mass to commemorate the the legend dating back to possibly 358 when a miraculous snowfall outlined the plan of the church.
Santa Maria Maggiore also boasts the highest bell tower in Rome at 75 metres with a pyrimidal spire added in the 16th century.

Our Lady of the Angels and the Martyrs (Santa Maria degli Angeli e Martiri)

The Facts

Transports : Metro Line A – Repubblica

A rather unusual structure located in Piazza Republica the church rather seems to be a roman ruin from it's exterior and in actual fact was built within the remains of the Baths of Diocletian, and the church is also consequently dedicated to all of the christians who died whilst constructing these Baths. It is reported that a Sicillian priest witnessed angels in the ruins of teh Baths in 1541 after which it was ordered by Pope Pius IV that a church should be built there.
The beginning of the work saw Michelangelo designing the church to be finished by Jacopo Lo Duca (Michelangelos student) after his death.
Today Santa Maria degli Angeli is often the host of prestigous weddings and funerals promoted by the state.
Centrally located at the top of Via Nazionale this church is well worth the visit.

Basilica of Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Santa Croce in Gerusalemme)

The Facts

Transports: Metro Line A – Manzoni
Location : Piazza S.Croce in Gerusalemme

Absolutely breathtaking – this is a fine example of roman architecture at it's finest. Just a short metro ride away on the Line A you willdiscover why this church was used as an example for many churches all around the world.
Supposedly founded by the Emperor Constantine in 320 using one large chamber of the Sessorian Palace to house the relics brought by his mother Helen from Jerusalem. For art lovers this is also an ideal place to feast your eyes upon the works of Pannini.

Church of Trinità Dei Monti (Spanish Steps)

The Facts

Built : 1502
Transports : Metro Line A - Spanish Steps

A trip to Rome would not be complete without a stop at the Spanish Steps, that has now become a famous meeting place for Italians and foreigners alike. The impressive staircase leads up to the Trinità dei Monti – of which it's well diffused images are already known worldwide.
Directly in front of the church is the roman obelisk which dates back to Imperial age from the Garden of Sallustio but as can be appreciated today it was moved to the front of the Trinità dei Monti in prder to create a focal link between the church and the stairwell.
This church should be seen in all it's splendour both during the day and illuminated by night.

Santa Maria delle Concezione de Cappuccini

The Facts

Transports : Metro Line A – Barberini

This rather unusual church is located just in front of our very own Bed and Breakfast in Rome Di Cappuccini on Via Veneto and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this church is also known as Our Lady the Immaculate and Church of the Capuchins.
This church has become a particular tourist interest due to the fact it has furnished ossuary of the Capuchins completely in bones! From 1528 to 1870 friars serving the church were placed in a vault following their death and after some time the bones were retrieved to create this room of bones placed in a macabre style.
The walls and furnishings are now adorned with over 4,000 bones of past friars.
Very centrally located definately worth a visit if not only for the curiosity!

Our Lady and the Martyrs – Pantheon (Santa Maria ad Martyres)

The Facts

Location : Piazza della Rotonda

Probably on first sight not considered a church this was actually a roman temple built in 27 bc and it's pure immensity will astound and that is just from looking at it from outside!
The front has 16 enormous columns transposrted all the way from Egypt which is very difficult to imagine now let alone in ancient times!
The Pantheon has a very special feature as the dome has a hole in it which is ideal on rainy days.