Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Museum with audio guide and Lunch

Start your route inside the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the only papal basilica in Rome to have preserved its original early Christian structure for over 1,600 years. Explore the rooms at your own pace, accompanied by an audio guide that will allow you to discover the history, the artistic masterpieces, and the profound spiritual significance of this extraordinary place.

Marvel at the spectacular central nave, decorated with some of the oldest Christian mosaics in the world, dating back to the 5th century and depicting scenes from the Old Testament. Marvel at the imposing paneled ceiling, one of the basilica's most prized artistic treasures.

Continue your visit to the Sistine Chapel of Saint Mary Maggiore (not to be confused with the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Museums) and the Pauline Chapel, which houses the venerated icon of the Salus Populi Romani, deeply loved by the faithful and the Popes over the centuries. Under the high altar, you can see the crystal reliquary that, according to tradition, contains fragments of the Sacred Crib of Jesus. The route also includes a visit to the tomb of Pope Francis and that of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest figures in Baroque art and architecture.

The experience continues in the Museum Areas of the basilica, where you can visit the Loggia of Blessings, the Hall of the Popes, Bernini's famous Spiral Staircase, and the Liberian Museum, which houses precious liturgical treasures, ancient relics, sacred vestments, and works of art that tell the long history of the Basilica.

Before concluding your visit, admire the beautiful 18th-century façade, the splendid 13th-century mosaics in the Loggia that depict the famous Miracle of the Snow, and the Holy Door, which is opened exclusively during Jubilee Years as a symbol of mercy and spiritual renewal.

After the visit, head to the Gallina Bianca Restaurant, located a few minutes' walk from the basilica, for a typical Roman food tasting lunch. The menu includes a supplì, a trio of carbonare (Classica, Orto with courgettes and eggplants, and Fuoco with 'nduja, stracciatella and crispy guanciale), ice cream, water and a glass of wine or a beer. A perfect opportunity to complete your cultural experience with the most authentic flavors of Roman tradition.