A lil bit of a wait to use the mirror but well worth. The line goes pretty fast as along as you…read moredon't have millennials taking picture after pictures. Just walk up , have some common courtesy and take your pic so the line can keep moving quickly

Honestly, save your time and your one euro coin. The church…read moreitself is beautiful, but the entire experience has been completely ruined by social media hype. We waited in line for a literal hour just to reach the famous "selfie mirror" to get a photo with the ceiling fresco. When you finally get to the front, you have to pay 1 euro, and you're rushed through it so fast you can barely even check if the photo turned out.

We arrived in Rome by train in the early evening, but we wanted to make the most of the remainder…read moreof our day. We took a bus over and ate a quick dinner nearby before getting in line for the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore 30 minutes before closing. Entrance is free. There is a security check before entering and the line moved pretty quickly. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four basilicas in Rome and it is dedicated to honoring the Virgin Mary. Tradition holds that the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to a wealthy Roman couple and Pope Liberius, instructing them to build a church where snow would miraculously fall in August. The next morning, August 5th snow reportedly blanketed the Esquiline Hill, marking the site of the basilica. Every August 5th, white rose petals are dropped from the ceiling to celebrate the "Miracle of the Snow." The interior was absolutely stunning. From the ceiling to the walls, and all of the paintings and sculptures were magnificent. This basilica houses some of the oldest representations of the Virgin Mary in art. It also holds the holy crib relic that contains pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid. This was the first basilica we visited in Rome and we also saw how there were multiple confession boxes with a Priest assigned and their language and hours. Very modern. I guess that helps with people of all ethnic backgrounds coming to Rome for their religious pilgrimages. I was so impressed by this basilica when we visited, but to be honest I am so glad we came here before seeing St Peter's Basilica because I would have been underwhelmed by compare if I went there first. I recommend coming here before going to St. Peter's Basilica so you can feel impressed here, and then even more impressed at St Peter's Basilica.

Such a special moment getting to pay our respects & visit the resting place of Pope Frances during…read moreThe 2025 Jubilee (on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 4:30pm) at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) when my husband & I were visiting Rome, Italy for the 2nd time (09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025). Even though, this was our 2nd time in Rome, we had not previously visited the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore so for sure it was on the itinerary as a must-do for a few special reasons - - ---- Final resting place of Pope Frances after his death in April 2025. The Pope requested his tomb to very simple w/ only the inscription of "Franciscus" & it is exactly that, which only makes it even more special. During our visit (Thursday, 09/25/25) there was a line to get in however, we only had to wait about 20 mins before getting inside the basilica. I did want to mention that when we walked by a few days later on a Saturday, the line to get in was so much longer than it was just a few days before during the weekday so definitely plan your visit for a weekday, if possible. --- Holy Door : There is a Holy Door located at this basilica, which is only opened every 25 years during the Jubilee years and 2025 is a Jubilee year so we were able to walk through the open Holy Door when we visited on 09/25/2025. You don't have to be Catholic and/or religious to walk through the holy door and trust me, it is a very special moment for all who walk through the holy door at this grand basilica. Fyi(s): -- - Security line: during our visit, we did have to go through security screening before entering the basilica however, I don't know if this was because it was a Jubilee year and/or if this is how it will be even after it is no longer a Jubilee year now that Pope Frances is buried at this basilica. (I guess I'll have to make a 3rd trip to Rome do I can give an update on this review! :)) -- - Be respectful w/ no photos/videos inside the basilica. This one always rubs me the wrong way, when there are signs clearly posted both outside and inside a basilica stating that no pics/videos are allowed and this basilica even had an attendant near Pope Frances's stone, trying to enforce this however, people kept taking photos and videos. Please note that the pics/videos, included w/ this review were taken of the outside. -- - Free to visit : No appointment is needed to visit & it is free however, I do recommend that you take some money w/ you so you can give an offering during your visit. Hope this info helps! Rebecca visiting from Austin, Texas (USA) 09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025

In English: Lateran Basilica or Saint John Lateran. This Basilica is one of the Major Basilicas in…read moreRome which serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church which is the Pope. Like any other churches in Rome, this basilica is also beautiful. On a regular day, St. John lateran Basilica is normally quiet and dark but as per hubby he found a switch that you drop a coin to turn on the lights of the main altar of the church. During the Jubilee year, it was not as crowded as other basilicas but there are people as well paying homage. This is also considered the oldest church in the city of Rome. Definitely worth visiting. Is also located close to Scala Sancta or the Holy Stairs. February 2026

Such a beautiful Basilica! This one rivals some of the grand, ornate Basilicas we visited in Spain…read moreand Marseille. Getting in was simple and quick, they do have metal detectors and security to walk through before getting to the main entrance, but that was quick. Once inside, the ceilings were notably impressive. The colors and paintings were so detailed! Architecture was also extraordinary! Definitely highly recommended to visit!

This is a great site to see, and for someone who doesn't like tours or sites, I was attentive. My…read moreADHD was under control, and that's a big deal. The excavations were fascinating, depicting history for thousands of years piled on top of each other. At the lowest level are pagan shrines that were intriguing to me. My imagination went wild. You don't want to know. I heartily recommend seeing the excavations at the Basilica di San Clemente.

Really cool historical spot…read more Need tickets to go downstairs to see the first two layers of churches the current church was built on. Tickets are $10 online $12 at booth. Money helps restore and preserve the historic layers of churches. Going inside the modern church is free. Third basement level is steep. All steps inside are precarious.

IG lead me here. I am so glad I came. I love history and religious relics and also churches and…read morebasilicas in general It came to my attention that the Column of the Flagellation is housed here, an alleged segment of the pillar or column upon which Jesus was flogged before his crucifixion in Jerusalem. This church also has beautiful breathtaking Mosaics dating back to the 1800's This church is located down a small street almost an alley way and at first I felt like maybe I got dropped off at the wrong location lol but trust me you are not lost, it is not far from Saint Mary Major Basilica

I came here because somebody on one of those tour busses said that there were a number of Popes…read moreburied in this basilica, though it turns out that I actually have little knowledge of the umpteen number of Popes that have held the position throughout the ages, so when I came in here I really had no idea what I was looking at. The interesting thing about this place though is that it is hidden down a side street and can be easily missed. It is a musky old church, and does have a little charm.

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs can be easily missed. It doesn't look like…read moremuch from the outside but the interior is beautiful. It was built in the 16th century based on a design by Michelangelo. The basilica is a fantastic construction with beautiful frescoes, paintings and sculptures. It is well worth visiting, you won't be disappointed.

Free admission and located in the Piazza della Repubblica, once a bath house and now a church…read more Honestly, we had no idea what we were going to experience when we walked inside, but we are so glad that we did. For starters it doesn't look like a church so when we went inside and realized that it was we were pleasantly surprised. It's stunning to say the least - something to look at in every corner so take your time. The vaulted ceilings, tiled floors, the marble. Every inch is incredible. Michelangelo left his mark here.

Wonderful church on the other side of the river away from the touristy parts of Rome. Even though…read moreit is a little way from central Rome, there were a number of people wondering around here in the late afternoon. It is definitely well worth the walk here. The architecture is grand. One thing about Roman churches is that from the outside it might not look like much but once you enter, it is a lot different with the light, architecture, and size on the inside.

The garden in front is beautiful and great for pictures and taking a short little stroll. The…read moreinside is amazing with historic art and sculptures. On a warm day you can walk in, have a seat and relax. Sometimes you get a bonus when the nuns or priests do their chants. There is no drinking fountain or restroom available at the church or on the church grounds as far as we could see.

A Roman Catholic church in Rome, named after Saint Mary Magdalene…read more Located on the Via della Maddalena, one of the streets leading from the Piazza della Rotonda in the Campo Marzio area of historic Rome. The interior is architecturally complex, it has a Borrominesque elongated octagonal nave, with two chapels at each flank. To the right is the main chapel dedicated and holding the relics of Saint Camillus. In this Chapel the vault was frescoed by Sebastiano Conca. The church also has a Christ, Virgin, and St. Nicolas of Bari by Baciccia and a San Lorenzo Giustiniani with Infant Jesus by Luca Giordano.

This is an incredible church I stumbled across while meandering through the streets of rome this…read moreafternoon. The outside is very unassuming but inside it's breathtaking. There is so much gilded architecture every which way you turn, and even a mural painted by michaelangelo in a side room. The artwork here will blow your mind, don't miss out on this outstanding little church!

"Hidden jewel" would be an understatement!…read more Sitting in the back corner of this warehouse-looking unassuming church is Michelangelo's majestic Moses, considered one of the master's greatest works! How cool is that?! And you don't have to spend 30 Euros just to get in. No, not even 1 Euro, because it's completely free. The church did great work to showcase their treasure - there's LED lighting that simulates the natural light that moves through the church during the day and they've condensed the process to 3 minutes. You'll see the light changes on the great statue and the final moment is when the sun sets on Moses' face - if there is anything in the real world that comes close to the term "biblical scene", this one is it! But the church isn't all about Michelangelo. It is St Peter who is the resident saint here. His chains are stored in a golden chest in the center of the church. Visitors can go down to a small area to pray/ pay respects and have a closer view. Opposite to the great Moses is a marvelous pipe organ high on the wall. If you happen to be there when the church organist plays, the feeling is divine. Lastly, you won't have to fight 5000 other tourists, like you may have at the Colosseum or Pantheon. There may be a few dozen people, nothing stressful. Most likely you can sit down, listen to the music, and cherish a moment spent with a holy object (the chains) about 2000 years old, and a rare man made masterpiece (Moises) about 500 years old.... You came to Rome for this, didn't you?

Well worth the visit! So glad our tour guide took me here to see Moses! Very easy to see, so…read morebeautiful!

So sad the Piazza Venezia and its' surrounding area was under construction during the time of our…read morevisit. This is one of the most iconic and central squares in Rome, and I can even see some of its' elegance peeking out from behind the construction area.

A must stop if you're looking for free things to do. There are options to pay like they have a…read moremuseum and some other stuff otherwise you could totally walk through the piazza completely free. Many picture areas and has bathrooms, though it was crowded.