A PILGRIMAGE

Nurture your spirit and delve into the history of the Roman Catholic Church on this holy trail through the capital. Accompanied by your guide, you will retrace the footsteps of saints and pilgrims and access three of Rome’s most amazing churches. Feel the air of sanctity that reverberates within the hallowed walls of the basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Together with St. Peter’s, these three churches belong to Rome’s Papal Basilicas and preserve priceless works of art and cherished relics that are no less astounding than those to be found in the Vatican.

Behind its 18th century Baroque facade the Basilica of St. Mary Major guards an ancient treasure trove. It is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and one of the city’s finest examples of an early Christian basilica. Each year on August 5th a cascade of white petals falls from the ceiling during the celebrations of the Miracle of Snow, commemorating the prodigious summer snowfall of 352 AD and the church’s legendary founding by Pope Liberius. The walls of the central nave and triumphal arch are decorated with splendid 5th century mosaics depicting scenes from the Old Testament and episodes from Christ’s childhood. The 15th century coffered ceiling, designed by Giuliano da Sangallo, is said to be gilded with gold brought back by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Highlights also include the wooden relics of the Holy Crib and the tomb of Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Founded about 14 years before St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran is the oldest church in Europe and – as stated by the inscription on its facade – “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world”. First built in the 4th century, what we admire today is its solemn 17th century renovation, one of architect Francesco Borromini’s greatest achievements. Not to be missed are Giotto’s column fresco, which represents Pope Boniface VIII announcing the first Jubilee in 1300, and the 14th century tabernacle containing what are believed to be the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul. Nearby stands the Scala Sancta, the stairway of twenty-eight white marble steps, which – according to Catholic tradition – Jesus climbed on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. Today devotees ascend the Holy Staircase on their knees, in return for forgiveness of past sins.

The last stop on your pilgrimage will lead you to the imposing Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built on the site where the apostle is said to have been buried after his martyrdom. Founded by Emperor Constantine, the church was destroyed after a fire in 1823 and majestically rebuilt in its present form thanks to contributions from worshippers worldwide. Inside it houses the venerated tomb of St. Paul surmounted by Arnolfo di Cambio’s Gothic ciborium, precious 13th century apse mosaics and a beautiful medieval cloister.