Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore Tours and Tickets

The first few centuries of Christianity was severely persecuted by the Roman Empire.  A cult of the martyrs and saints grew to venerate the heroic testimonies of the men, women & children who gave their lives, often after extreme torture, rather than deny their faith.  This tour visits some of the places associated with some of the women of this early period of Christianity in Rome and explains the influence they had on Early Christianity. This tour is a 2 hour easy walking tour which visits the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major and the relics of Christ's crib from Bethlehem, the world famous Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour, the Basilica of Santa Prassede and the pillar on which Christ was scourged, the Church of Santa Prudenza and the square of Santa Maria dei Monti.Our expert guides have masters level qualifications in either philosophy, theology, art history or archaeology, are mother tongue English speakers and are great fun.

Explore the highlights of early Christian Rome with this exciting 3-hour afternoon walking tour via foot and coach.  Led by a knowledgeable driver-guide, get an insider's view of the Eternal City and its Christian history. Stops include the Basilica of Sant Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. And then go underground by checking out the intriguing catacombs, an early Christian burial spot just outside of the city at the Appian Way.

No one goes to Italy on vacation without plans to eat. Cross pizza off your list on this food walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. You'll visit family-run bakeries and favorite local pizzerias while sampling different toppings and learning about different types of pizza, such as the Roman specialty 'scrocchiarella.' Plus, stop for gelato, enjoy a beer and visit the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli. This pizza tour is limited to 12 people to provide a more personalized experience.

Discover religious landmarks of Rome with this half-day, small-group tour. Explore four historic churches - The Basilica of St. Peter, the Basilica of St. Paul, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Arch-Basilica of St. John Lateran - with a guide leading the way. Learn about the history, architecture, and relics of each basilica and travel between them by air-conditioned van.

Visit one of Rome's most important churches, plus two lesser-known basilicas, on this 2-hour walking tour. With a guide, you'll start at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a papal basilica and UNESCO World Heritage site. Then continue to nearby Santa Pudenziana and the Basilica di Santa Prassede. During your tour, enjoy the chance to see historical art and architecture, and learn about the history of the churches, which dates as far back as the 4th century.

Discover the 5th century mosaics of Santa Maria Maggiore, a reliquary said to contain a piece of the crib that once held the baby Jesus and see the Sistine Chapel named for Pope Sixtus V. Although enlarged and redecorated, the basilica retains much of its original structure of the fifth century. In the years following the return of the papacy to Rome from Avignon, part of the church was used as a papal residence until the complete renovation of the Vatican palace. To admire its mosaics of the fifth century, a reliquary that is said to contain a piece of the crib that once housed the little Jesus, an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary, the tomb of St. Jerome and the tomb of the artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Explore the sacred Christian sites of Rome with a small-group tour, including the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and more. Skip the hassle of finding all these sights on your own and hear fun facts and stories about Rome's early Christian history as you travel from site to site with a guide.

Immerse yourself in Rome's historically important Catholic side on this info-packed and entertaining tour through the spiritual underbelly of the Eternal City. With a driver chauffeuring you around Rome in a comfortable car, tour the city's main churches, from ancient basilicas to significant saintly sites, and then stop into a restaurant to tuck into a hearty Roman lunch.

This tour is designed to explore Rome through a Christian Perspective, Rome has many churches and on this half day tour we have sellected some of the important ones:Basilica di San Clemente - the only church in Rome, built on three different levels, from the 1st to the 12th century.Basilica of San John LateranThe "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs) - located adjacent to the Basilica of St. John LateranBasilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem - one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of RomeBasilica di Santa Maria MaggioreThis tour lenght 4 hours in total and is conducted by a English speaking driver & a official expertised English speaking guide.

Get a comprehensive overview of Rome's basilicas on this 7-hour private tour. Visit important sites in religious history such as St John in Latheran, the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and the Church Quo Vadis. Take advantage of the flexibility and personal attention that comes with booking a private tour; be sure to let your guide know if there are any sites you are particularly interested in. Round-trip private transportation from your Rome accommodation is included.

Cycle through 2,000 years of history on a half-day electric bike tour of Rome. See iconic ancient wonders like the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, plus hidden historic treasures that are off the beaten tourist path. Easily climb some of Rome's famous hills with a battery-powered boost, and cover much more ground than walking - without breaking a sweat. Tour size is limited for a more personalized small-group experience.

Visit the major religious history sites of Rome on this private, 7-hour tour. Visit the Basilica of Rome, Basilica of Saint Praxedis, and the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major, and learn the hidden secrets behind these important sites from your guide. You'll also get the chance to cross the threshold of the Holy Door in the Cathedral of Rome. Round-trip transportation from central Rome hotels is included.

Explore the landmarks of Ancient Rome on a Segway tour with an experienced guide. On your own electric Segway, you'll cruise by major Rome attractions like the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Learn about the Eternal City's 2,000-year-old ruins while you zoom along the streets, and stop by the Mouth of Truth, Rome's legendary 'lie detector.' Limited to just eight people, this tour provides a small-group experience.

Customize a private tour of Rome with a visit to its famous Catholic sites. Be chauffeured in the personalized comfort of a private Mercedes car or minivan and stop at monuments, piazzas and cathedrals. See the magnificent St Peter's Basilica and explore others in the Eternal City such as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo and the Holy Stairs at St John Lateran. Note: entrance fees and private guide are not included in the tour price.

Zip through Rome on a Vespa with this full-day tour, including lunch. Cover ground quickly and see top landmarks such as the Colosseum, Piazza della Repubblica, and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Skip the hassle of navigating and follow your guide to see the best of the Eternal City. Helmets and safety locks are included.

View items related to the passion and death of Jesus Christ during this 3-hour tour in Rome. Visit the Basilica of St Mary Major to see fragments of the wood from the manger where Jesus was born and explore San Prassede, which features pieces of the pillar upon which Christ was flogged. At the Basilica of Santa Croce, see fragments of the true cross and a nail of the crucifixion. Along the tour, learn about the history of these sacred religious objects from your guide. All entrance fees are included.

Visit several of the most influential basilicas, such as St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran and discover just how important they were in shaping the history of Christianity. With your professional guide, roam some of the most secluded corners of the city. Learn about early Christian cemeteries and shelters while within the Catacombs of either San Callixto or Santa Domitilla. Gain a better understanding as to why Rome is recognized worldwide as the center of Christianity on this three-hour walking tour and familiarize yourself with the history that resides within this great city.  

Explore five of Rome's major basilicas with an option to visit the Catacombs ancient burial site, on this seven-hour private tour including transportation from your Rome hotel by air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the Eternal City's St. Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and Church of Domine Quo Vadis, learning from your private guide about their design and the relics, including from the Passion of Jesus, housed inside their ornate chambers.

Discover the fascinating history of the Etruscan civilization on this private full-day shore excursion from Civitavecchia. Marvel at the Etruscan tombs of Tarquinia, ponder the archeological wonders at the Tarquinia National Museum, and take a walking tour of historic Tuscania. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

Discover the Eternal City at your own pace on this day trip from Florence to Rome. Climb aboard the high-speed train from Florence and arrive in the Italian capital to enjoy a 12-hour sightseeing pass on a hop-on hop-off bus. Pass the Vatican, the Colosseum and other top attractions, hopping off to further explore your points of interest. At the end of the day you'll return to Florence on the high-speed train.