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The city\u2019s most famous church is also the heart of Vatican City. Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano or the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, as it is also known, is Rome\u2019s largest Papal major basilica. It was built on the site where, according to popular belief, St. Peter\u2019s Tomb is located. Instead of rushing through this engineering marvel, you should take your time and unhurriedly explore the dome, its chapels and museums. You\u2019ll find several works of Italy\u2019s most famous artists.<\/p>\n
Santa Maria in Trastevere<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n Rome\u2019s probably oldest Marian church is located in the centre of the Trastevere district. First structures date back to the 4th<\/sup> century. The altar is located where, according to legend, oil flowed from a spring in 38 BC. Jewish inhabitants thought this to be a sign of the arrival of the Messiah. Checking into this multiplicatively renovated and extended basilica, you\u2019ll find astonishing mosaics. Some of them depict the life of St. Mary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sant\u2019Agnese in Agone<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n According to legend, St. Agnes was stripped naked and presented to the crowd on Piazza Navone when, all of a sudden, she grew hair covering her body. Today, the square is the site of the magnificent baroque church Sant\u2019Agnese in Agnose built by Girolamo and Carlo Rainaldi and Francesco Borromini. The impressive front is lined with two sturdy bell towers and a crowned cupola.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pantheon<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n The Pantheon is one of very few religious buildings in Rome with no Catholic background whatsoever. Once devoted to the pagan gods of the city, it is probably Rome\u2019s best-preserved antiquity building. Its cupola had been the largest in the entire world for more than 1,700 years. Many a famous person is buried in the Pantheon including two kings and the world-renowned Renaissance painter Raphael.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa Maria Maggiore<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9pixabay.com\/jensjunge<\/p><\/div>\n The Basilica of St. Mary Major is one of the four Papal major basilicas and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. It is the largest Catholic Marian church of the city and widely regarded as the Catholic crown jewel. You will easily lose yourself in the wide, pillar-lined interior between colourful stained glass windows and fascinating relics. Visit the basilica on August 5th<\/sup> when thousands of white petals are dropped from the ceiling!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n San Clemente<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n Saint Clement of Rome (or Pope Clement I) is considered to be the fourth Bishop of Rome. A 12th<\/sup> century basilica in close proximity to the Coliseum was dedicated to him. The church was built on top of four building ruins, one of which once was a Christian house that is believed to have succumbed to Nero\u2019s Great Fire of Rome. Today, the fresco-heavy building is home to the Irish Dominicans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n This basilica is Rome\u2019s only original Gothic church. Its name derives from the erroneous presumption that it had been built on the ruins of a former Roman temple dedicated to the Greco-Roman goddess Minerva (\u201csopra\u201d, Eng. \u201catop\u201d). However, it has since been found out that the temple had been dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Stepping inside the interior, you will be enthralled by the play of colours and shadow revealing neo-Gothic frescos and Michelangelo\u2019s \u201cCristo della Minerva\u201d statue.<\/p>\n Archbasilica of St. John Lateran<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n The official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope has a very fascinating, telling name that roughly translates to \u201cPapal Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran\u201d. San Giovanni in Laterano was probably Rome\u2019s first Catholic church. Looking fairly non-descript from the outside, you mustn\u2019t miss the elaborately adorned interior with its many mosaics and paintings. Even the candlesticks bear images of the prophets.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n San Paolo fuori le Muro, as it is known in Italian, is one of Rome\u2019s four Papal major basilicas. Relive some history visiting this fascinating church: Emperor Constantine founded a chapel on this spot in the 4th<\/sup> century where, according to legend, St. Paul was beheaded. Today\u2019s building is home of 266 portrait medals depicting every Pope in history from St Peter to Francis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa Maria del Popolo<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9zainoo.com<\/p><\/div>\n A Renaissance jewel stands near Porta del Popolo. This three-nave church with an additional monastery was built in 1099 to battle superstition. The public believed to see Nero\u2019s ghosts in the evil looking crows populating a tree at Rome\u2019s northern gate. After cutting down this tree, the basilica was built. It now houses important works of Raphael, Caravaggio and Pinturicchio.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Would you like to learn more about Rome, its fascinating history and the imposing sacral buildings? ZAINOO has all the information, the best tips and the most beautiful city tours for you!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" All roads lead to Rome. They are lined with some of the world\u2019s most beautiful churches. You can easily lose sight with all of this pomp and splendour. ZAINOO presents the 10 most beautiful churches of the Eternal City to … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>