Christian Rome: Private 6-Hour Tour with Local Driver

Highlights

• Private 6-Hour Tour
• Major Basilicas
• Commentary from Vehicle

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

   40min

   We will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the Basilica of St. Mary Major which reigns as an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman churches. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value, and represent the Church's role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome. Built on the Esquiline hill in 352 A.D., this is the smallest and most precious of the four basilicas, and for centuries has held its position as a Marian shrine par excellence. Among the Patriarchal Basilicas, St. Mary Major is the only one to have kept its original structure, though it has been enhanced over the course of years. Special details within the church render it unique including the 5th century mosaics of the central nave, the Cosmatesque pavement, the 15th century coffered ceiling in gilt wood . The numerous chapels, from the most ornate to the most humble, constructed by popes, cardinals and pious confraternities, the high altar begun by Ferdinando Fuga and later enriched by the genius of Valadier, the Baptistery and finally the relic of the Holy Crib complete the array of splendors contained within these walls.

2. 2

   Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

   40min

   The drive continues with the visit of the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, the oldest and highest ranking of the four major basilicas in Rome. Built by the Emperor Constantine, first residence of the Popes until the year 1307, the Cathedral of the City, with the wonderful 17th century remaking by Borromini, the beautiful gentilitial chapels, the relic of the table of the Last Supper, the lovely 13th-century cloister, the Baptistry, the oldest and tallest among the 13 Egyptian obelisks in Rome, the Holy Stairs of Christ's Passion, is a site not to be missed.

3. 3

   Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs

   20min

   The Scala Sancta are a set of 28 white marble steps that are Roman Catholic relics located in an edifice on extraterritorial property of the Holy See in Rome, Italy proximate to the Archbasilica of St. John in Laterano.[1] Officially, the edifice is titled the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Pontificio Santuario della Scala Santa). The Holy Stairs, which long ago were encased in a protective framework of wooden steps, are in an edifice that incorporates part of the old, Papal Lateran Palace. The Holy Stairs lead to the Church of St. Lawrence in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum (Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum) or simply the "Sancta Sanctorum" (English: Holy of Holies), which was the personal chapel of the early Popes.

4. 4

   Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

   30min

   The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem or Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and titular church in rione Esquilino, Rome, Italy. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. According to tradition, the basilica was consecrated circa 325 to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ brought to Rome from the Holy Land by Empress St. Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I. At that time, the Basilica's floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem; it is not dedicated to the Holy Cross which is in Jerusalem, but the Basilica itself is "in Jerusalem" in the sense that a "piece" of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. The most recent Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Crucis in Hierusalem was Juan José Omella, since 28 June 2017.

5. 5

   Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis

   15min

   From here your driver will take you to the Old Appian Way, passing by Porta San Sebastian and the chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis". This tiny 9th-century church (redone in the 17th century) was built on the spot where Peter, while fleeing the city to escape Nero's persecution, saw a vision of Christ. Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, where are you going?" ("Domine quo vadis?" in Latin), to which Christ replied, "I am going to Rome to be crucified again." This miraculous sign gave Peter faith and courage, causing him to return to Rome and meet his destiny.

6. 6

   Catacombe di San Callisto

   1h

   We finally arrive at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus: the present catacombs are a series of underground galleries and vaults of various sizes. These were holy sites where Christians buried their dead and came to pray and celebrate liturgy. After Constantine, the bodies of many martyrs and saints were moved to churches within the city. Being outside the old city walls, the catacombs were often pillaged and seriously damaged by the invading Goths and Lombards in the 6th and 7th centuries. In time, the catacombs were abandoned and forgotten to be rediscovered only centuries later. By late 19th century, they had once again become an important and romantic place for visitors to learn about their early Christian past. Expect to pay approximately 08.00 euro per person for admission to the Catacombs. Kindly take note that the admission fee includes a guided tour with a local guide. They may not be using a microphone that is why we suggest that you stay as close as possible to the guide to better hear what (s)he will be saying.

7. 7

   Basilica Papale Di San Paolo Fuori le Mura

   1h

   Visit Rome's second largest church, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Erected on the site which is traditionally believed to be the burial place of the Apostle Paul, the cella memoriae was subsequently turned into a basilica by the Emperor Constantine and consecrated in 394 by Pope Silvester I. Throughout the centuries the Basilica would not cease to be embellished and enhanced by the Popes only to be almost completely destroyed by a terrible fire on the night of July 15, 1823. The Basilica was reconstructed identically to what it had been before, using all the elements which had survived the fire and embellished over time with beautiful mosaics , a magnificent portico with 150 columns while contemporary work has uncovered the tomb of the Apostle so that all pilgrims can pray and visit.

Before you go

Location

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42, 00185, Italy