Rome : Guided tour of Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

You will be guided by an expert through its most sacred and remarkable highlights. Marvel at the breathtaking 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. Look up to admire the spectacular coffered ceiling, one of the Basilica’s most impressive artistic treasure. Continue your visit to the Sistine Chapel of Saint Mary Major (not to be confused with the Vatican Sistine Chapel) and the Paolina Chapel, home to the revered Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary deeply venerated by Romans and Popes throughout the century. Beneath the High Altar, inside the Confessio, you will discover a crystal reliquary preserving fragments believed to come from the Holy Cradle of Jesus. The tour also includes a visit to the tomb of Pope Francis, as well as the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest artists and architects of the Baroque era.