Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Pope Sixtus III built the basilica soon after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary as Mother of God in AD 431. Its nave preserves an extraordinary series of fifth-century mosaics showing Old Testament scenes, while the triumphal arch turns toward the childhood of Christ. That early decorative program makes Santa Maria Maggiore one of the clearest surviving statements of Christianity in imperial Rome.

The basilica accumulated rather than froze. A medieval apse mosaic by Jacopo Torriti shows the Coronation of the Virgin. The Cosmatesque pavement dates mainly to the 12th century, while the coffered ceiling belongs to the late 15th century and is traditionally said to have used the first gold brought from the Americas. Baroque papal chapels, an 18th-century façade by Ferdinando Fuga, and Rome's tallest Romanesque bell tower complete the visible layers.

Below the high altar, a reliquary traditionally holds wood from Christ's manger. Several popes are buried here, including Pope Francis, whose tomb in the basilica has made it an especially active place of pilgrimage since 2025. It is one of Rome's four papal major basilicas and belongs to the Holy See while standing on Italian territory. Enter early and look first along the nave walls: the small ancient mosaics are easy to lose beneath later grandeur.

Did you know

• Fifth-century mosaics is the answer to one of the most useful details to remember on site.
• Fifth-century nave mosaics with Old Testament scenes.
• Torriti's golden apse mosaic of the Coronation of the Virgin.

Architecture and details

Begin with the building's plan and light before concentrating on individual artworks. The contrast between reused columns, later chapels and the main liturgical axis shows how Roman churches accumulated rather than replaced history. At Basilica of Saint Mary Major, compare these broad choices with the specific materials, openings and proportions described on site.

What to look for

• Fifth-century nave mosaics with Old Testament scenes.
• Torriti's golden apse mosaic of the Coronation of the Virgin.
• Gilded coffered ceiling traditionally linked with New World gold.
• Rome's tallest Romanesque bell tower.

Today

Open daily 7:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., last entry 6:00 p.m. Security screening may create a line, and services can restrict movement. Shoulders and knees must be covered. The main basilica is accessible, with staff-directed routes to some areas; archaeological levels include additional constraints. Hours checked 2026-10-07. Enter early and look first along the nave walls: the small ancient mosaics are easy to lose beneath later grandeur.