Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Interesting facts

1. 1

   It is the only Roman basilica where a daily Mass has been celebrated continuously since the 5th century.

2. 2

   The gold on the ceiling was donated by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and is traditionally cited as the first gold brought to Europe from the New World.

3. 3

   The floor features extensive 12th-century Cosmatesque marble inlay work, a signature technique of Roman medieval artisans.

4. 4

   The church houses the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the preeminent Baroque sculptor and architect.

5. 5

   The Basilica possesses a unique architectural relic: the 'Holy Crib' reliquary, which is central to the church's historical identity as 'Santa Maria ad Praesepe'.

6. 6

   The bell tower, reaching 75 meters, is the tallest in Rome and dates to the late 14th century.

7. 7

   The Pauline Chapel, located to the left of the nave, houses the venerated Salus Populi Romani icon and the tombs of Popes Paul V and Clement VIII.

Overview

The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome and one of the four papal basilicas. Originally constructed in the 5th century under Pope Sixtus III, it retains its core Roman basilica floor plan despite later architectural interventions. The interior features a coffered ceiling gilded with gold reportedly brought from the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Its walls house a significant cycle of 5th-century mosaics depicting Old Testament scenes. The Basilica contains the Salus Populi Romani icon, a 6th-century image of the Virgin and Child attributed by legend to Saint Luke. Under the high altar, the Crypt of the Nativity contains a reliquary believed to hold wood from the Holy Crib. The church is the only Roman basilica to have preserved the essential structure of its original 5th-century layout. The facade dates to the 18th century, designed by Ferdinando Fuga, masking earlier medieval elements.

Insider tips

• Visit the small museum accessible from the side of the nave to see rare liturgical vestments and historical artifacts.

• Spend time observing the floor mosaics near the altar, which are often overlooked in favor of the ceiling.

• Look for the entrance to the crypt level to see the reliquary of the Holy Crib up close.