PRIVATE

The Papal Basilicas of Rome

Tour Code TUR-01557

Duration 7 hours

Group Type Private

Departs From —

Meeting Point Your Hotel

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Overview

Highlights include:

St. Peter's Basilica
St. John Lateran
St. Mary Major
St. Paul's outside the Walls

This tour will take you to four major basilicas of Rome: St. Peter's, St. Paul's outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran. The order of the visit to the basilicas may vary.

St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most impressive sights in Rome, built on the site of Constantine's original basilica and the necropolis where St. Peter was buried. Pope Julius II commissioned the construction of the second basilica in the early 16th century. The structure was worked on by renowned architects, including Michelangelo, Bramante, Maderno, and Bernini. Its size, the light that floods in from the high windows, immense papal tombs, and gilded decoration leave a lasting impression on the visitors.

Like St. Peter's, the Basilica of St. Paul lies outside the ancient walls, over the necropolis where the saint was laid to rest. It was the only one of the Constantine basilicas to have survived from antiquity in its original form when it was burnt down in 1823. Thanks to donations from around the world, it was rebuilt just as it had been, including the original Medieval cloister that survived the fire. Mosaics of every pope from St. Peter to Pope Francis look down on visitors from the inside.

In the city center, the Basilica of St. Mary Major stands on the site where snow fell on an August night in the 5th century. It was one of the first churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, following the Council of Ephesus in 431. The council declared her to be the Mother of God. Much of the church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1348, but the original, beautiful 5th-century mosaics still line the apse walls and the triumphal arch, depicting scenes from both the Old and the New Testaments.

Not far from here is the Basilica of St. John Lateran. It is the cathedral of Rome and the highest-ranking of all the churches in Rome. Known as 'archbasilica,' it was once the official residence of the papacy. As the oldest and most important basilica in the world, it holds the title of Ecumenical Mother Church of the Catholic Faithful. Constantine's original basilica was built on the site of the barracks of the Imperial Guard, who had fought against Constantine at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Following his victory, Constantine disbanded the guard and razed the barracks, eventually donating the Lateran Palace to the Pope. Like the other basilicas, St. John's has been rebuilt over the years, and much of its current appearance dates to the 17th century. However, the original private chapel of the pope, the Sancta Sanctorum, can still be seen across the road at the top of the Holy Steps.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

English-speaking registered guide
English-speaking driver
Hotel pick up and drop off

What's Not Included

Gratuities of any type
Optional entrance to the cloisters of St. John Lateran and St. Paul's outside the Walls

Pricing & Availability

Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.

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