Churches and basilicas of Rome

This section is dedicated to the basilicas and churches of Rome, the most important and interesting, since the city has more than 400. We will first discover here the four major basilicas, including Saint Peter’s basilica, the Vatican Church, which is the heart of Christianity and an extraordinary building that succeeded a place of worship built near the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
The three other great basilicas are Saint John Lateran which is the cathedral of Rome of which the Pope is the bishop, then Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul outside the walls.
An article is then devoted to the most beautiful churches, including those that host remarkable works, such as San Pietro in Vincoli which preserves the Moses by Michelangelo, Santa Maria del Popolo or San Clemente.

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The four major basilicas of Rome

With more than 400 churches, Rome has a unique religious heritage. Among these, four are the major basilicas: Saint Peter in Vatican, Saint John of the Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul outside the walls. Together with three other so-called "minor" basilicas, they are the stages of the traditional Tour of the Seven Churches of Catholic Pilgrims in Rome.

Most beautiful churches in Rome

The most beautiful churches in Rome after the four great basilicas described in the dedicated article. Early Christian, medieval, Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque, the history of the city can be discovered in these religious buildings, which have often replaced ancient pagan temples. The basilica of Saint Clement has a masterful illustration of this, with its three levels ...

Saint Peter’s Basilica

The heart of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest in the Christian world and was built on the tomb of St. Peter around the year 320. Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Bramante and many other artists contributed to its reconstruction in the 16th century.

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Photo of Basilica of St. Mary Major, square and facade

Dedicated to Mary, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major dates back to the 5th century AD, in the Early Christian era. All styles are found here, like medieval, Renaissance and baroque. Photos, history, information and architecture.

Basilica of Saint-John Lateran

Cathedral of the Pope as bishop of Rome, Saint John Lateran, raised by Constantine around AD 320, is the mother of all the churches. Photos, history, information and architecture.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Photo Cloister, St. Paul Outside the Walls

Built on the tomb of the apostle Paul, in the 4th-5th century, Saint-Paul outside the Walls was destroyed in 1823 by a fire. Since then, it has been faithfully rebuilt. However, its rich elegant 13th-century cloister has survived.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, the Cappella Sistina in Italian, is an extraordinary achievement, the main chapel of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.
On the one hand it is one of the most famous artistic works in Rome, marked by the greatest work of Michelangelo Buonarroti, which is discovered on the tour in the Vatican ...

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