Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica & Dome Guided Tour: Exclusive Access & Museums

Highlights

• Exclusive Dome Access
• Liberian Museum & Treasures
• Expert Guided Tour

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

   30min

   Step into one of Rome’s most awe-inspiring landmarks with an expert tour guide who will bring its fascinating history to life. As the only one of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas to preserve its original paleochristian structure since 432 A.D, this extraordinary site is filled with breathtaking mosaics, frescoes, and architectural wonders that tell a story spanning centuries. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the many popes and world-renowned artists who contributed to Santa Maria Maggiore, transforming it into a masterpiece that is not only sacred but also houses artistic treasures as the The Sacred Cradle by Valadier, an exquisite silver and crystal reliquary, said to contain fragments of Jesus’ manger.

2. 2

   Museo del Tesoro Liberiano

   30min

   Your journey continues inside the Liberian Museum, an extraordinary area that preserves the artistic, historical, and spiritual heritage of the basilica. This area provides a deeper understanding of Santa Maria Maggiore’s significance through a collection of priceless relics, sacred artifacts, and remarkable artworks.

3. 3

   Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

   30min

   The highlight of the tour will be the exclusive dome area, where you will make your way to one of the highest points in Rome. From this privileged spot, standing on the highest hill in the city, you will enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Rome. Your guide will point out the most important landmarks and share fascinating stories that reveal the city’s secrets and hidden gems.

Before you go

Location