Santa Maria Maggiore

The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) is one of four papal basilicas in Rome. The name of the church (“major”) indicates that is indeed an important place of worship within the Roman Catholic Church. It is sometimes called the Liberian Basilica because of its connection with pope Liberius.

Santa Maria Maggiore has retained its original core even though many renovation and addition projects have been undertaken since the church was damaged by an earthquake in the mid-14th century.

Legend has it that in the year 356, Maria appeared in a dream to pope Liberius and ordered him to build a church at a site where it would snow. When it snowed a couple of years later on the Esquiline Hill - apparently in the middle of summer - Liberius decided to build a basilica on top of the hill. The present building, however, dates from the time of pope Sixtus III, who reigned from 432 to 440. Its design very closely follows that of an imperial basilica, though it is not one.

Many of the mosaics still inside the church are from that time period. In addition, the marble columns supporting the nave may actually come from the first basilica.

One of the many highlights in the basilica is the beautiful coffered ceiling designed by Giuliano da Sangallo and placed there in the 16th century. It is said to be gilded of gold from the Inca tribe, presented to the church by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Many historians, however, dispute that fact.

The Santa Maria Maggiore also contains some interesting tombs such as those of pope Sixtus and renowned sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The facade visible today dates back to 1743. It was commissioned by pope Benedict XIV according to designs by Ferdinando Fuga. It covers an older 12th century facade decorated with mosaics added in the 14th century. The mosaics are still visible and tell the story of the miraculous snowfall in August. The 14th century campanile – or bell tower – is the tallest in Rome.

The column with a bronze statue of Maria and child in front of the church was erected in 1615 in thanksgiving for the remission of the plague during the Baroque period. The column was taken from from the Basilica of Constantine at the Roman Forum. The obelisk located at the other side of the church, at the Piazza dell'Esquilino, was erected in 1597 by pope Sixtus V as a beacon for pilgrims. It was originally located near the entrance of the Mausoleum of Augustus.