Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, why is she called the Basilica of Our Lady?
The history of the Basilica of the Larger Mother in dates back to the 4th century. According to legend, on the night of August 4-5, 358, Liberius and Roman Patrician Jan received a revelation of the Mother of God in their dream. Mary ordered them to build a church in a place that will be covered with snow the next morning. In the morning, in the middle of a hot Roman summer, the Eskwilin Hill was covered with snowy down. Pope Liberius marked the boundaries of the future temple, and Jan financed its construction. Although the legend is colorful, history says differently. The construction of the basilica probably began with the pontificate of Pope Sixtus III (432-440), after the Ephesian Council, who announced the dogma of God’s motherhood of Mary. The temple was to be an expression of gratitude and homage to the Mother of God.
Basilica of the Ladies Mother. Treasury of art and architecture
The Basilica of Our Lady is a real treasury of art and architecture. Its interior impresses with mosaics from the 5th century, depicting scenes from the Old Testament. These are one of the oldest and best preserved paintings in Rome. In the 12th century, the basilica was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. In the 13th century a belfry was added, which is the highest in the Italian capital. In the following centuries, the temple has been rebuilt many times, gaining baroque and Renaissance elements.
Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Trivia
- . He is the first pope for over a century who gave up burial in the Vatican Grotts. The last was Leon XIII, who died in 1903 and was buried in the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
- When visiting the basilica, it is worth paying attention to the coffered ceiling. It was made of the first gold brought from America by Krzysztof Columbus, given to Pope Alexander VI.
- There are five bells in the belfry of the Basilica of Our Lady. The oldest and the largest of them, cast in 1289 by Guidotto, was written thanks to the financial support of the Savellich family, echoed with medieval history. Other bells come from the period from the 16th to the 19th century, creating a rich palette of sounds. It is worth mentioning that the bell donated by Alfano, the chamberlain Kalikst II (from 1119-1124), also hung in the belfry. However, it was removed during the pontificate of Leon XIII and is currently stored in the collections of the Vatican Museums.
- The mosaics from the 5th century in the chapel are one of the oldest and best preserved mosaics in Rome. They present scenes from the Old Testament and decorate the walls of the nave.
- The Sixtus chapel (also called Sistine) was built on the order of Pope Sykstus V, which was buried in it. There is also the grave of St. Pius V.
- The Pauline chapel was built by Pope Paweł V. Here is Salus Populi Romani – saving the Roman people, considered the wonderful icon of the Mother of God. Painted by St. Łukasz the Evangelist is one of the most important symbols of Rome and the basilica. For centuries she was worshiped as wonderful, and her image was worn in processions during an epidemic and other natural disasters. It was before this icon that Pope Francis prayed most often.
- There are relics of the Saint Czew in the basilica. According to researchers, they are fragments of the manger in which Jesus Christ was born. They are stored in a crystal reliquary under the main altar.
- In the basilica there are graves of several popes, including St. Liberius, Saint. Feliks IV, Saint. Pius V and Sixtus V.
- Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, an outstanding sculptor and architect, an Italian Baroque icon, rests in the Basilica of Our Lady. His genius left an indelible mark on Rome, as evidenced by such masterpieces as the canopy over the grave of St. Piotr and the monumental colonnade at St. Piotr in the Vatican, the apostle’s throne (Cathedra Petri) in the Basilica of St. Piotr or the fountain of four rivers decorating Piazza Navona.
Where does Santa Maria Maggiore find and how much does it cost?
The Basilica of the Larger Mother (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) is located in Rome, on the Eskwilin hill, at: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00185 Rome. The entrance to the basilica is free. The temple is usually open every day, from 7:00 to 18:45. However, it is worth checking the current opening hours on the official website of the basilica, because they may vary depending on the day of the week, holidays and other events. The basilica has a museum in which various artifacts, relics and works of art related to the history of the place are presented. The entrance to the Basilica Museum is paid. Tickets cost around 12 euros. They can be reserved on the official website of tickets.museivaticani.va/home/calendar/visit/santa-maria-maggiore. Renting an audio guide that will show around the basilica and tell about its history is usually paid.
How to visit Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome?
When going to the basilica, you must remember that this is a religious place, it is worth choosing a outfit with covered arms and knees. During the masses and services, visiting the basilica may be limited. Photographing without using a flash is usually allowed, but you should make sure that there are no restrictions. You can rent a guide who will show around the basilica and tell about its history and works of art. The best time to visit is morning hours.
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