Why is the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica a must-visit attraction?

Santa Maria Maggiore offers an unforgettable journey through early Christian art, sacred history, and living faith, making it one of Rome’s most essential landmarks. As one of the city’s four major papal basilicas, it preserves extraordinary 5th-century mosaics, richly decorated chapels, and revered relics linked to the origins of Christianity. Walking through the basilica, you’ll experience layers of history, from ancient Roman foundations to Renaissance and Baroque additions, woven into a single, harmonious space.

Beyond the main nave, the Liberian Museum, underground archaeological areas, and panoramic terraces reveal lesser-known perspectives of the basilica and the city itself. Whether you’re drawn by religious significance, artistic mastery, or Rome’s deep historical continuity, Santa Maria Maggiore delivers a powerful blend of spiritual atmosphere and cultural discovery in one immersive visit.

The Miracle of Our Lady of the Snows

One of the most cherished stories connected to Santa Maria Maggiore is the legend of the miraculous summer snowfall. According to tradition, in the 4th century, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to both Pope Liberius and a wealthy Roman nobleman, instructing them to build a church on the spot where snow would fall the following day. On August 4, 358 AD, at the height of Rome’s summer, snow is said to have covered the Esquiline Hill, clearly marking the chosen location for the basilica.

This extraordinary event is commemorated every year on August 5 with a special celebration inside Santa Maria Maggiore. During the liturgy, white flower petals cascade from the ceiling, symbolically recreating the miraculous snowfall and drawing visitors and pilgrims into one of Rome’s most evocative religious traditions. The annual ceremony keeps the legend alive, blending faith, history, and ritual in a way that makes Santa Maria Maggiore not just a historic monument, but a living place of devotion.

A brief history of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

• 352–366 AD: According to tradition, a miraculous snowfall on August 5 marks the site for a new church during the papacy of Pope Liberius. An early basilica, known as the Liberian Basilica, is founded on the Esquiline Hill.
  
• 432–440 AD: Following the Council of Ephesus (431), which affirmed Mary as Mother of God, Pope Sixtus III rebuilds and greatly expands the basilica. The nave plan is established, and the celebrated 5th-century mosaics of the nave and triumphal arch are commissioned.
  
• 12th–13th centuries: Medieval restorations and additions strengthen the basilica’s role as a major pilgrimage church, while its artistic heritage continues to grow.
  
• 1377: The bell tower (campanile) is completed under Pope Gregory XI, becoming the tallest medieval bell tower in Rome.
  
• Late 15th century (c. 1493): The magnificent coffered ceiling is completed, traditionally gilded with gold brought from the Americas during the era of Pope Alexander VI.
  
• 1585–1590: Under Pope Sixtus V, the Sistine Chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore is constructed, later becoming his burial place.
  
• 1605–1611: The richly decorated Pauline (Borghese) Chapel is added during the reign of Pope Paul V, further enhancing the basilica’s Baroque character.
  
• 1680: Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini is buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, in a modest tomb reflecting his personal devotion to the basilica.
  
• 19th–20th centuries: Archaeological excavations uncover Roman-era structures beneath the church, while restoration projects focus on preserving mosaics, chapels, and liturgical spaces.
  
• 1950: The Holy Door is installed and opened for the Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Pius XII, reinforcing the basilica’s Jubilee significance.
  
• Present day: Santa Maria Maggiore stands as one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, remaining an active place of worship while welcoming visitors as a living monument to nearly 1,700 years of Christian history.

Who built the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica?

Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in the 4th century during the pontificate of Pope Liberius, traditionally following the miraculous summer snowfall of August 5. Its most decisive rebuilding occurred between 432 and 440 AD under Pope Sixtus III, who established the basilica’s enduring structure and commissioned its famous early Christian mosaics.

In the 18th century, Pope Benedict XIV entrusted Ferdinando Fuga with redesigning the basilica’s main facade. Fuga’s work gave Santa Maria Maggiore its present Baroque exterior, carefully modernizing the building while preserving its ancient interior.

Architecture of the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Rome’s finest examples of an early Christian basilica, notable for its clear basilican plan and exceptional preservation. The long nave is lined with ancient columns and illuminated by a sequence of 5th-century mosaics that rank among the earliest surviving Christian artworks in Rome. Above, the coffered ceiling, traditionally gilded with gold from the Americas, adds Renaissance grandeur to the interior.

Later architectural layers enrich the basilica without overwhelming its original form. The Sistine Chapel and Pauline (Borghese) Chapel introduce Renaissance and Baroque artistry through elaborate marble decoration and sculptural detail. Outside, the contrast between Fuga’s Baroque façade and the 14th-century bell tower, Rome’s tallest medieval campanile, visually reflects the basilica’s long and complex architectural history.