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This is a mosaic floor that dates back to the 13th century. It is known for its intricate and decorative patterns, characteristic of the Cosmatesque style, which was popular in medieval Italy.
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Basilica of St. Mary Major - Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage Guide
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
- Take a tour of one of Rome's Seven Pilgrim Churches, the first church to honor the Virgin Mary.
- Visit Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica without having to wait in line and learn about the artifacts from Christ's birth and life.
- Discover the background of Christianity and the church, and interact with the altar made from five fragments of the Bethlehem manger of Jesus.
- Choose to upgrade your ticket to include entrance or escorted entrance to the Loggia of Benedictions or skip-the-line entry to the Santa Prassede Church.
- Take a tour of one of Rome's Seven Pilgrim Churches, the first church to honor the Virgin Mary.
- Visit Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica without having to wait in line and learn about the artifacts from Christ's birth and life.
- Discover the background of Christianity and the church, and interact with the altar made from five fragments of the Bethlehem manger of Jesus.
- Choose to upgrade your ticket to include entrance or escorted entrance to the Loggia of Benedictions or skip-the-line entry to the Santa Prassede Church.
Inclusions
- Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
- Expert English speaking-guide (optional)
- Entrance to Loggia of Benedictions (optional)
- Escorted entrance to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (optional)
- Skip-the-line entry to Santa Prassede Church (optional)
- Headsets (if needed)
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Gratuities
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- Guided Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica & Loggia of Benedictions Guided Tour
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Escorted Entrance + Access to Loggia of Benedictions
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Guided Tour + Skip-the-line Tickets to Santa Prassede Church
- Tip: At night, watch the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica beautifully lights up and if you’re lucky hear the choir singing too.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Visit this historian’s paradise and a spiritual landmark with expert audio guidance.
- With the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore entry ticket, you get access to a major papal basilica, along with an informative audio guide.
- This experience has something for everyone: sacred relics for pilgrims, mosaics for art lovers, and centuries of history for papal enthusiasts.
- Enjoy an audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German, covering the basilica’s highlights, including areas usually closed to the public.
- Visit the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, one of the world’s earliest Marian basilicas and one of Rome's four major papal basilicas.
- Admire stunning 5th-century mosaics on the nave and apse and visit the Holy Cradle relic, which is believed to be part of the manger where Jesus was born.
Visit this historian’s paradise and a spiritual landmark with expert audio guidance.
- With the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore entry ticket, you get access to a major papal basilica, along with an informative audio guide.
- This experience has something for everyone: sacred relics for pilgrims, mosaics for art lovers, and centuries of history for papal enthusiasts.
- Enjoy an audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German, covering the basilica’s highlights, including areas usually closed to the public.
- Visit the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, one of the world’s earliest Marian basilicas and one of Rome's four major papal basilicas.
- Admire stunning 5th-century mosaics on the nave and apse and visit the Holy Cradle relic, which is believed to be part of the manger where Jesus was born.
Inclusions
- Entry to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- Audio guide in Italian, English, Spanish, French, and German (as per option selected)
- Dome access (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Entry to Polo Museale
- Tip: Consider visiting during Mass for a unique spiritual experience.
- Strict dress code: Ensure that your shoulders and knees are covered to enter the cathedral.
- A separate ticket is required to visit the Polo Museale.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Top things to do in Rome
Museum & chapels inside the Basilica of St. Mary Major
Liberian Historical Museum
Inaugurated in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, the museum houses the Treasury of the Basilica. Highlights include famous paintings like Salita al Calvario and Madonna con Bambino e Santi, ancient musical scores of the Venerable Liberian Musical Chapel, and precious liturgical objects. There’s a dedicated section dedicated to the history of devotion to the Salus Populi Romani.
Hall of Popes
This grand space reflects Pope Paul V's architectural vision. Built by Flaminio Ponzio, it is a commemorative space for significant figures associated with the basilica, including Cardinals, Archpriest Saint Charles Borromeo, Popes, and the Spanish royal family.
Archaeological Area
Explore ancient Roman ruins beneath the church, including imperial-era rooms, a mosaic-adorned thermal bath, and rare frescoes depicting an agricultural calendar.
Sistine Chapel
Not to be confused with the one in the Vatican, this chapel was built by Pope Sixtus V. It contains his tomb and originally housed the Holy Manger by Arnolfo di Cambio.
Paolina Chapel (also called Borghese Chapel)
Named after Pope Paul V, this chapel features works by several masters, including Cavalier d'Arpino, Baglione, Guido Reni, and Bernini's father. It also contains the tombs of Pope Clement VIII and Pope Paul V, as well as the image of the "Salus Populi Romani" (Protectress and Health of the Roman People).
Sforza Chapel
Dedicated to Saint Flora and Saint Lucilla, it was originally assigned to Michelangelo, and ultimately realized by Tiberio Calcagni who modified some details. It also has an altar-piece by Gerolamo Siciolante representing the assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Cesi Chapel
Dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, commissioned by Cardinal Federico Cesi around 1550. It features bronze tombs of Cardinals Paul and Federico Cesi by Guglielmo della Porta and Girolamo da Sermoneta's altarpiece depicting Saint Catherine's martyrdom.
Highlights of the St. Mary Major Basilica
Cosmatesque Floor
Plan your visit to Basilica of St. Mary Major
Timings
Mass
Location
Rules
Tips
St. Mary Major Basilica opening hours: 7am - 7pm with last admission at 6:30pm
Polo Museale is open from: 9:30am to 6pm, with the last admission at 5:30pm.
On the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2025, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Mary Major and will be closed on December 28, 2025.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit St. Mary Major Basilica is during the spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller. Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal for a serene experience and fewer visitors. During the Jubilee Year, expect larger crowds, especially around the Holy Door. Book in advance for guided tours and accommodations.
Pauline Chapel: Weekdays: 7am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 6pm; Sundays & Holidays: 7am, 8am, 9am
Papal Altar: Anticipated Mass: 6pm; Holidays: 10am - 6pm
Sforza Chapel: Daily Adoration: 9:30am, 5pm; Daily Rosary: 11:30am; Daily Divine Mercy Chaplet: 3pm; Daily Vespers & Blessing: 4:30pm
- Mass at the Basilica is open to all individuals.
- Daily Masses are held at various times throughout the day.
- Sunday Masses usually have a larger attendance, with special liturgical celebrations. There are also special liturgical events, particularly during Marian feasts.
- Visitors are expected to dress modestly as a sign of respect when entering the basilica. This typically means covering shoulders and knees.
Address: P.za di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM, Italy
- By metro: Take a line Metro A to the Termini Station, from there it’s a short 550 meters walk via Via Giolitti and Via Gioberti. From Cavour Station (Line B), it’s a walk 750 meters.
- By bus: You can take lines 105, 150F, 590, 71, 714, C3, 360, 649, NMA, 5, N5, N11, 14. Lines 70, 81, 85, 87, and 492 stop near the basilica. Closest stop is Carlo Alberto, 46 meters away.
- By tram: Tram Line 3 and get off at the Vittorio Emanuele stop, which is 300 meters away.
- Shoulders must be covered for both men and women. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be at or below the knee. Sleeveless tops and tank tops are not permitted. Hats should be removed when you enter the basilica.
- Photography and filming are allowed inside the basilica for personal use only. No flash photography is permitted. Tripods are not allowed.
- Visitors are expected to maintain silence and decorum inside the basilica
- No eating, drinking, or chewing gum is allowed
- Pets are not allowed inside the basilica, except for service animals.
- Visitors under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry.
- Find a quiet corner within the basilica to meditate or simply absorb the ambiance. The chapel of St. Michael Archangel can be a peaceful retreat.
- Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and long lines. Allow at least 1-2 hours to explore the basilica and its highlights.
- If visiting during a Holy Year, pass through the Holy Door to earn a plenary indulgence. It represents a path from sin to salvation and the ultimate spiritual renewal.
- If visiting in August, try planning around August 5 to attend the Miracle of the Snows celebration and see the white petals falling from the coffered ceiling. Even if you can’t make it then, don’t miss the cycle of the V-century mosaics depicting biblical stories related to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and life of Jesus, in the middle aisle and triumphal arch.
- Take a short 10-minute walk to see Michelangelo’s Moses at San Pietro in Vincoli.
- Follow the dress code (covered shoulders and knees) to ensure entry.
- Try Panificio Roscioni for a quick snack or L’Asino D’Oro for a delicious sit-down meal in Rione Monti.
- Follow the Rome Jubilee itinerary to hit multiple holy spots in one day.
- Bring a scarf or light jacket to cover up when needed, especially in the summer.
Architecture of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
The Basilica of St. Mary Major is a mix of architectural styles, primarily Early Christian and Baroque. Its layout consists of a tall, wide nave flanked by aisles and ends with a semicircular apse, resembling a second-century imperial basilica. The nave’s marble columns are repurposed from an older structure that was made of Athenian marble and granite columns.
Highlights include the 16th-century coffered ceiling, gilded with Columbus's gold, the 1295 apse mosaic by Jacopo Torriti, and the 14th-century bell tower, the tallest in Rome. The 12th-century façade was redesigned in the 18th century by Ferdinando Fuga, preserving the original mosaics.
While the basilica's layout centers on a traditional plan, various additions and renovations have created a complex and layered architectural experience.
Frequently asked questions about the Basilica of St. Mary Major
How accessible is the Basilica for people with disabilities?
The entrance that is accessible for persons with disabilities is located in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, to the right of the basilica's facade. This entrance has a ramp and the horizontal pedestrian circulation is easy to navigate. There are accessible toilet facilities within the basilica. People with a disability of over 74% and a companion can enter for free without queuing. They can obtain the free tickets directly from the "special permission" counter.
How can I obtain a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year?
During the Jubilee Year, the Catholic Church offers the faithful the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. To receive the indulgence, one must make a pilgrimage to a designated Holy Door, such as the one at St. Mary Major. Participate in the sacrament of confession and receive Holy Communion. Pray for the intentions of the Pope and perform an act of charity or a good deed.
Are there any nearby attractions worth visiting after the Basilica?
St. Mary Major is located in the busy area of Rome with several attractions within walking distance:
- The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, home to Michelangelo’s Moses.
- The Colosseum, a short walk or bus ride away.
- The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, located close to the Colosseum.
Are there any special pilgrimages or devotions associated with the basilica during the Jubilee?
The year leading up to the Jubilee (2024) will be marked as a Year of Prayer, encouraging the faithful to deepen their spiritual lives in preparation for the Jubilee. Pilgrims are encouraged to engage in traditional devotional practices, such as praying the Rosary or visiting specific chapels within the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Various community events and gatherings will be organized to foster spiritual growth and community engagement during the Jubilee Year.
Are there any pilgrimage routes that include the Basilica of St. Mary Major?
Yes, St. Mary Major is part of the Christian Rome itinerary, which includes other significant churches such as St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. This route is popular among pilgrims, especially during Jubilee years.
Are there any notable tombs or chapels within the Basilica?
The Basilica of St. Mary Major houses several notable tombs and chapels. Highlights include the final resting place of the renowned sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the stunning Borghese Chapel, famous for its miraculous icon. You'll also find the tomb of Pope Sixtus V in the basilica's Sistine Chapel (not to be confused with the Vatican's). The basilica is also a papal burial ground, with six popes laid to rest here. Other must-sees are the tomb of Pope Innocent III, adorned with beautiful religious art, the serene Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, the spiritually charged Sancta Sanctorum with its legendary Holy Stairs, and the chapels dedicated to the basilica's patron saints, John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.