Rome: St. Mary Major, Hall of the Popes & Berninis Staircase

Step into Basilica of St Mary Major with audio guide & special access to hidden areas, including the Loggia delle Benedizioni, Hall of the Popes, and Bernini’s Staircase, rarely open to the public.
Step inside the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and discover one of Rome’s most extraordinary sacred spaces, where centuries of history unfold under a single roof. Founded in the early days of Christianity, the basilica is a living timeline of art and architecture, shaped by nearly two thousand years of devotion.
Although the façade and much of the interior were renewed during an 18th-century restoration, the past is everywhere. A medieval bell tower rises above the church, ancient marble floors stretch beneath your feet, and Ionic columns reused from Roman buildings frame the nave. Look up and you’ll find luminous 5th-century mosaics, among the oldest in the city, while the richly decorated Renaissance ceiling contrasts with the dramatic Baroque domes and chapels. Few places in Rome bring together the major stages of Christian art so seamlessly.
With your multilingual audio guide, you’ll explore not only the basilica but also areas rarely open to the public, including the Loggia delle Benedizioni, the Hall of the Popes, and the elegant spiral staircase traditionally attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini—an architectural jewel hidden from most visitors.
At the spiritual heart of the basilica is the Salus Populi Romani, Rome’s most important Marian icon. Traditionally attributed to Saint Luke the Evangelist, this ancient image has been cherished for centuries and remains deeply connected to the city and its popes. Pope Francis continues the tradition of praying before the icon before and after his apostolic journeys.
Near the Papal Altar lies the Holy Crib, a powerful reminder of the basilica’s ancient title, Sancta Maria ad Praesepem, and its role as the “Bethlehem of the West.” Five pieces of sycamore wood, traditionally believed to come from Christ’s manger, are preserved in a crystal reliquary within the Confessio, a marble masterpiece created in the 19th century.
The apse mosaics, designed by Jacopo Torriti in the late 13th century, depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and culminate in her Coronation in Heaven, surrounded by angels and saints. From the Loggia, mosaics recount the legendary snowfall of August 5, 358, when the Virgin Mary marked the site of the basilica on the Esquiline Hill. That miracle is still celebrated each year with a symbolic shower of white petals falling from the ceiling.
This experience also includes the Holy Door, a symbol of reconciliation and new beginnings, which will be reopened during the Holy Year of 2025, as well as the Baptistery and the majestic Hall of the Popes.
With special access and a rich audio narrative, this visit offers a journey through faith, art, and history—one of the most complete and moving experiences in Rome.

لضمان التوفر، احجز في أقرب وقت ممكن. الحجز المبكر يستحق النظر خاصة إذا كنت تخطط للرحلة خلال موسم الذروة مثل العطلات العامة أو عطلات نهاية الأسبوع.

يمكنك إلغاء هذه الرحلة بدون تكلفة حتى 24 ساعات قبل بدء الرحلة. إذا قمت بالإلغاء بعد 24 ساعات أو لم تحضر في الرحلة، فسيتم تحصيل السعر الكامل للنشاط. التأخر في الاستلام أو المغادرة سيعتبر كعدم حضور.