Christian Rome Afternoon Guided Tour

Stops include the Basilica of Sant Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. And afterwards go underground by taking a look at the intriguing catacombs, a very early Christian interment place simply outside of the city at the Appian Way.

San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is perhaps the most ancient of Christian churches. It is held to be the most important after Saint Peters, because it is the Cathedral of Rome. In the central space between the transepts is an altar where only the Pope, the bishop of Rome, can celebrate mass. As in all major basilicas, the entrance is preceded by a large portico; here is placed a statue of Constantine.

The basilica has five doors; the one on the extreme right can only be opened during Holy Year like that one in Saint Peters. The facade of San Giovanni in Laterano is a masterpiece by Alessandro Galilei (1732) showing strong influences of the Baroque and Neo-classicism. Fifteen colossal statues crown the facade. the most conspicuous being that of Christ.

The evocative and beautiful interior has five naves built in 1650 by Francesco Borromini. The transept is earlier and contains a beautiful tabernacle by Giovanni di Stefano.The left side of the transept leads to the extraordinary Cloister, a true masterpiece of the 13th century by the Vassalletto family Very close to the church is an antique Baptistery commissioned by Constantine at the same time as the basilica; it is octagonal and in the centre is a green basalt urn, once a baptismal font.

Santa Maria Maggiore

This grandiose church stands on the Esquihne Hill. It was built under the pontificate of Sixtus III in the early 15th century and its Romanesque bell tower is the highest in Rome (75 metres). The mid-l8th century facade has five arches and a loggia by Ferdinando Fuga (in the loggia lovely mosaics from a previous facade). Inside there are three naves, a beautiful pavement with geometric designs, and a coffered ceiling by Giuliano da Sangallo.

Along the central nave are thirty six mosaic panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The mosaics over the Triumphal Arch, which represent scenes from the Life of Jesus and the Virgin and those over the apse by JacopoTorriti (1295 with the triumph of Maria) are beautiful.

These mosaics, which span several centuries, are amongst the most precious and beautiful in existence. Noteworthy are also the chapels of this basilica: the Sistine Chapel (built by Domenico Fontana for Pope Sixtus V) and the Paolina Chapel (built by Flaminio Ponzi for Pope Paul V).