Few churches in Rome can rival the sheer splendor of Santa Maria Maggiore. One of Rome’s four ancient patriarchal basilicas, the venerable church is stuffed with artistic treasures, priceless relics and fascinating history. Today it’s in the headlines again: just last week Pope Francis was laid to rest here in a simple tomb that powerfully reflected the values of the beloved late pontiff. Visitors from around the world are already descending on Santa Maria Maggiore, clamoring to get a look inside the church that has become Francis’ place of eternal repose.
But with so much to see and do here, navigating the basilica’s layers of meaning takes expertise. That’s where guided tours come in! From in-depth explorations of the church’s array of glittering mosaics to small-group pilgrimage walks exclusive to the Jubilee year, we’ve come up with a series of itineraries designed to unlock Maggiore’s secrets. Read on to discover the best tours of Santa Maria Maggiore in 2025!
1. In-Depth Santa Maria Maggiore Experience with Scavi and Rooftop
If you’re looking to get to grips with Rome’s supreme tribute to the Virgin Mary, then our deep-dive exploration of Santa Maria Maggiore is for you. Our insider tour of the basilica peels back its many layers of art, history and sacred relics, revealing the church in all its varied glory.
We’ll get to admire the church’s superb mosaics, from incredible 5th-century scenes depicting stories from the Old Testament as well as Jacopo Torriti’s 13th-century shimmering apse mosaic. Ascend the Loggia of Blessings for sweeping views of the city, then descend into the forgotten Roman ruins beneath the basilica - thermal baths, frescoed corridors and a rustic menologium that once guided an agrarian year. Discover a hidden Bernini’s masterpiece as you ascend a spiral staircase to the Hall of Popes, where portraits of pontiffs gaze up at a carved wooden ceiling, and pause in the Chapel of St. Michael to glimpse the only surviving Piero della Francesca frescoes in Rome.
We’ll also explore Santa Maria’s own “Sistine Chapel,” home to the tombs of Popes Sixtus V and Pius V as well as a stunning gilded Tabernacle that pays homage to the relic of Christ’s crib housed beneath the high altar. Next door, the Pauline Chapel is home to Santa Maria Maggiore’s greatest prize: the Salus Populi Romani icon, a portrait of the Virgin Mary believed to be painted by St Luke himself. The relic was particularly venerated by Pope Francis, and we’ll have the opportunity to pay our respects at the late pontiff’s simple tomb, newly placed amongst the treasures of this wonderful Roman church.
- Who It’s Perfect For: Art lovers, pilgrims and return visitors to Rome looking to go beyond the obvious highlights.
- Duration: 3 hours
2. Jubilee 2025 Tour: An Exploration of Early Christianity
Follow in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims on our special Jubilee itinerary through the heart of Rome, and trace with us a fascinating tale of art and faith in the Eternal City. Your journey begins at San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cathedral of Rome known as ‘the Mother and Head of all churches in the world.’ Pass beneath its awe-inspiring bronze doors - originally they guarded the entrance to the ancient Curia Julia in the Roman Forum, and feel history resonate in every step you take. Inside, Borromini’s majestic Baroque architecture combines with medieval artworks to create a fascinating atmosphere: soaring columns, a dazzling coffered ceiling, and thundering sculptures of the apostles that seem to speak in the filtered light.
After exploring San Giovanni’s many treasures - including the stairway that according to legend Christ climbed in Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem, we’ll walk along the historic Via Merulana - the traditional route for pilgrims bound for Santa Maria Maggiore not far away. That’s our destination, too. In Rome’s great shrine to the Virgin Mary we’ll gaze on superb mosaics, magnificent Cosmatesque floors and a glittering golden ceiling.
We’ll also pay reverence to the basilica’s priceless relics, including the crib that’s said to have sheltered the infant Jesus in Bethlehem and the superb Salus Populi Romani. For centuries this has been one of Rome’s most venerated relics, and such was the late Pope Francis’ devotion to the icon that he chose to be laid to rest in Santa Maria Maggiore. We will stop for a moment to pay our own respects at the tomb of the beloved pontiff, and reflect how we’re continuing a tradition of pilgrimage in Rome that’s been ongoing for thousands of years.
- Who It’s Perfect For: Perfect for pilgrims coming to Rome for the Jubilee, or anyone interested in the fascinating history of Christianity in the Eternal City.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Group Size: Maximum of 10. Also available as a private tour.
3. The Mosaic Masterpieces of Rome: Sacred Stories in the Eternal City
Leave the crowds behind and embark on a three-hour exploration of Rome’s most extraordinary mosaics, from ethereal early-Christian works in Santi Cosma e Damiano and Santa Prassede to the radiant medieval wonders of Santa Pudenziana. Wander the cobbled streets of Monti before arriving at our grand finale: the iconic basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Founded in the wake of a miraculous 5th-century snowfall and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria Maggiore has drawn pilgrims and art lovers for over 1,500 years. Discover how the nave’s Old Testament mosaic cycle became a landmark in the transition from classical, pagan art in Rome towards a new style of Christian imagery, and gaze in wonder on Jacopo Torriti’s monumental 13th-century apse where the mystical, almost abstract figures of Christ and Mary offer a striking counterpoint to the sober elegance of the nave mosaics.
This unique tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the intricate secrets of mosaic: join us as we reveal some of the the Eternal City’s greatest hidden gems of art!
- Who It’s Perfect For: Art enthusiasts
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Group Size: Maximum of 10. Also available as a private tour.
For 25 years, Through Eternity have been organizing itineraries showcasing the best of Rome led by our resident expert guides. If you're planning a visit to the Eternal City during the Jubilee, be sure to get in touch to help plan your perfect trip. For everything you need to know about visiting Rome during the Jubilee, check out our dedicated Jubilee travel guide here.
MORE GREAT CONTENT FROM THE BLOG:
- A Guide to the Jubilee of 2025 in Rome
- Top Things to See in Santa Maria Maggiore
- The Wonders of San Giovanni in Laterano
- Pope Francis Biography
- A History of Conclave
- 10 Popes Who Shaped Rome
- What to See in the Vatican Museums
- A Pilgrim and Tourists Guide to Jubilee 2025
