Santa Maria Maggiore

The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in the early Christian period. The history of its construction, over time, has turned into a beautiful legend. The legend tells of a miracle in the 4th century, when the Virgin Mary, in a dream, promised Patrician John and his wife, who prayed for a child, a child in exchange for building a church on the Esquiline Hill, where they would find snow. In the morning, it turned out that Pope Liberius had seen the same dream. On August 5th, despite the heat, they found snow on the hill, where in 352 AD, they laid the first stone of the basilica, named in honor of Our Lady of the Snows. In memory of this event, every year on August 5th, the church's congregation showers white flower petals.

The original building has not survived. The cathedral, as we see it today, was built in 440 AD by order of Pope Sixtus III. It was then that the basilica was dedicated to the Mother of God. Over the centuries, bishops coming to power added splendor and beauty to Santa Maria Maggiore, bringing new relics to the church. In the 14th century, a bell tower 75 meters high was erected over the basilica's three naves. Pope Gregory XI initiated the construction of the bell tower soon after returning from Avignon. One of the five bells rings precisely at 9 pm to strengthen the faith of the faithful. In 1614, a Marian column was placed directly in front of the main entrance. In the middle of the 18th century, the left block was renovated and the main facade was constructed. Each new Pope added to the cathedral, yet inside the building, we can still observe fragments of the early Christian church.

The Basilica of Saint Mary has preserved an early Christian orientation: the main entrance is located on the east, while the altar part is at the western end of the nave. The main entrance of the temple is an open gallery with a colonnade. Above it is a 3-arched loggia, called the "Loggia of Blessing", decorated with a statue of the Madonna and 4 figures of Roman Popes: Benedict XIV, Gregory the Great, Sixtus III, and Paschal I. During masses, the acting pontiff blesses people from this loggia. The colonnade is executed in an antique style, which creates a contrast with the baroque facades located nearby. A balustrade, placed around the perimeter of the roof, unifies this composition.

Above the main nave, there is a gabled roof, and above it rises a 75-meter dome, built in the 14th century. Over the right nave, we see a beautiful bell tower with marble cornices. The brick structure has 6 tiers, two of which are hidden inside, and 4 rise above the facade. On the sides are the Sistine and Pauline chapels, hidden under octagonal lead domes.

The eastern facade was erected by Carlo Rainaldi in 1673. The architect decided to connect the late medieval chapels with the apse in the Romanesque style, decorating the latter with a semi-dome and balustrade. The basilica has Holy Doors, which are opened for pilgrims once every 25 years. According to legend, those who pass through the gates with true faith will have their sins forgiven. The Holy Doors will next open in 2025.

The interior features a three-nave basilical plan with forty columns. The painting of the high ceiling is attributed to Giuliano Sangallo.

Despite numerous reconstructions, the sanctuary has managed to reach our days almost in its original form. The decor of Santa Maria Maggiore is breathtaking in its splendor and beauty. The vaults of the main hall are supported by columns executed in an antique style. Ancient mosaics illustrating scenes from the Old Testament have survived to this day. One side tells the life of Isaac, Abraham, and Jacob, while the other recounts the journey of Moses. Looking higher, a series of frescoes depicting the life of the Virgin Mary comes into view. The area above the apse is also filled with mosaics.

The temple pleases the eye not only with its lush wall decorations but also with its exquisitely ornamented floor. The combination of the richly painted ceiling and the colorful floor delights visitors. There is a belief that the ceiling was decorated with gold brought by Christopher Columbus himself. However, after a series of restorations, the gold was lost.

But the main treasures of Santa Maria Maggiore are not immediately noticeable at first glance — these are the real crib of the Infant Jesus Christ, stored above the papal altar, the invaluable icon of the Virgin Mary "Salus Populi Romani", the most venerated in Rome, attributed to the hand of the Apostle Luke, and the relics of the Apostle Matthew.

The basilica itself is divided into three chapels: on the right is the Sistine Chapel, distinguished by its rich decor; next comes the Pauline Chapel, even more luxurious; and closer to the exit, the Sforza Chapel, built, presumably, according to a project by Michelangelo.

This chapel should not be confused with the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It is a monument of Roman Baroque architecture and sculpture. Pope Sixtus V, one of the main transformers of the city of Rome in the late 16th century, chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as the burial place for himself, his family, and his "great protector" Pope Pius V.

The chapel's walls depict the story of Christ's Nativity. Also, the artists who worked on the frescoes connected the narrative with the mosaic in the apse. In the center of the chapel, there is an altar adorned with golden angels. There is also a kneeling sculpture of Pope Pius IX, who is bowing before the crib of Jesus.

In the early 17th century, Paul V, known in the secular world as Camillo Borghese, became pope. Thanks to him, the Borghese Chapel, also known as the Pauline, was established. The chapel has the shape of a Latin cross with a dome rising on pilasters. The chapel is decorated with bronze, marble, and gold plating. In the central part, there is an altar, and there are also tombs of Paul V and Clement VIII. The main decoration of the Borghese Chapel is the icon of Salus Populi Romani, which translates as "Salvation of the Roman People". It is said that it was thanks to this icon that the Romans were saved from the plague.

This chapel has a more modest appearance compared to the previous two. Inside, the room is adorned with marble, the side apses and the wall at the altar are crowned with sculptures and frescoes. There is information that the architect Giacomo della Porta built the chapel, following the sketches of Michelangelo Buonarroti.

To the right of the entrance to the main nave, there is a Baptistry, also containing many works of art. Created according to the project of the architect Flaminio Ponzio. On exiting the Baptistry on the outside of the building, there is a descent to the basement, where, since 2002, the "Museum of Artworks of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore" has been in operation.

Also buried in the church is the progenitor of the Baroque style – Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is barely noticeable and consists of a simple marble slab with an inscription about the burial, to the right of the main altar.