The basilica of Santa Mary Major was built in the IVth century and according to tradition Pope Liberius himself laid out the outline of the church during a miraculous predicted snowfall. It is one of the first churches in Rome to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. On our visit we will see beautiful medieval mosaics from the VIth, Xth and XIIIth centuries, a Cosmatesque floor, the "Salus Populi Romani" (an icon of the Virgin and Child) and the tomb of the great sculptor and architect Bernini. who preferred a modest burial place in St Mary Major to a grand memorial. Close to Santa Maria Maggiore is the church of Saint Praxedes (a christian martyr whose father allegedly knew Saint Peter), where we will see the Saint Zeno Chapel with its medieval mosaics from the Xth century. Our visit will continue with a walk through the Monti district and its small intertwining streets where we will see the church of San Martino ai Monti (frescoes by G. Dughet). We will then continue on to the Oppian Hill and the ruins of the Baths of Trajan. Our visit will end at San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) where we will see Michelangelo's renowned sculpture of Moses.

The visit include : basilica of St Mary Major, church of Saint Praxedes, church of San Martino ai Monti, the Monti district, Oppian Hill, Baths of Trajan, the church of San Pietro in Vincoli and Michelangelo's "Moses".

tours of christian Rome
Basilica of St John Latran
Churches on the Aventin Hill
Domus Celius