Related:
"Termini Station To San Giovanni In Laterano"

Rome Tourist Guide Routes  

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

The church's facade may mislead a few visitors into believing that it is more modern than it actually is. The facade is an 18^th century addition to the church, which actually dates back to the 5th century. The origins of the church are cloaked in a lovely legend. One day Pope Liberius saw a vision of the Virgin Mary, who spoke to him and asked for a church to be erected in her name. It would snow in one place the next day, she said, and that was where the church should be built. It was August but to the astonishment of Rome's citizenry, it snowed on the Monte Esquilino (the location of the church). This has resulted in a charming ceremony that takes place every year on August 5^th to commemorate the miracle. On this day countless white petals are released from a hole in the church's ceiling and gently come floating to the ground.

Despite several remodelling efforts, the church has managed to maintain the rich beauty of its interior. Most of the ceiling is covered in gold, which was given to the church by the Catholic Monarchs, who had accumulated immense wealth thanks to Spain's voyages to America. Another interesting feature is the bell tower, an excellent example of Romanesque architecture.