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The Patriarcal Basilicas
SAN GIOVANNI IN LATERANO
PATRIARCAL BASILICA AND CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY REDEEMER AND STS. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE EVANGELIST. The cathedral of Rome was founded by Pope Melchiades (3rd c.), but on the occasion of the 1650 Jubilee Borromini decorated the old structures with stucco work and polychrome marbles. The last door on the right of the monumental façade is opened only in Holy Years. Among the funeral monuments and cardinals' tomb inside, worthy of note is the recumbent statue of Riccardo Annibaldi by Arnolfo di Cambio (1276). Of great interest is the suggestive cloister (13th c.) with its elegan columns dorned with mosaics..

BASILICA PATRIARCALE DI SAN PIETRO IN VATICANO.

Christianity's "greatest temple", stood over the tomb of St. Peter, the founder of the Church of Rome, and was opened in the year 326. During the Renaissance, however, it was torn down to build a magnificent new basilica, with the work entrusted first to Bramante, and subsequently to Raphael, B. Peruzzi, Antonio da Sangallo and, lastly, Michelangelo, who designed the dome as the dominating element of the church. The piazza of the basilica is characterized by the ellipsis of Bernini's portico, while the façade, with the balcony of the Pope's blessing in the center, has a portico with five entrances, including the Holy Door (opened only Holy Years). Among the numerous masterpieces, worthy of mention are the canopy over the high altar, a theatrical creation by Bernini, the gilt bronze Chair of St. peter, also by Bernini, the monument to Clement XIII by Canova, and Michelangelo's Famous Pietà, the splendid marble sculpture as glossy as alabaster.

BASILICA PATRIARCALE DI SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE

Rebuilt by Sixtus III in the 4th c., it was modified in the 12th c. and its exterior was transformed during the Baroque period. The interior maintains the simple, linear appearance of the primitive paleochristian basilica and is decorated with a cycle of splendid mosaics: "Stories from the Old Testament" (5th c.) in the nave, scenes from the "Early life pf Christ" on the triumphal arch, and the apse mosaic of the "Coronation of the Virgin" by Jacopo Torriti (1295). Of great importance are the Cappella Paolina, the altar of precious stones, and the crèche by Arnolfo di Cambio.

BASILICA PATRIARCALE DI SAN PAOLO APOSTOLO FUORI LE MURA

Erected in the year 324 over the tomb of St. Paul, the basilica was almost entirely rebuilt after the fire of 1823. It holds a number of noteworthy works of art: the famous tabernacle by Arnolfo di Cambio (1285); the paschal candlestick by the Vasselletti (12th c.) and, in the apse, the mosaic depicting "Christ blessing, Honorius III and saints". There is an interesting cloister with splendid polychrome marble inlays and mosaics.

BASILICA PATRIARCALE DI SAN LORENZO FUORI LE MURA

The present-day basilica is the result of the suggestive uniting of the basilica erected by Honorius III in the 13th c. with the so-called "minor basilica", built by Pelagius II in the 4th c. The lovely portico with friezes and mosaics by the Vassalletti, inlaid floor, paschal candlestick, tabernacle, and mosaic of the triumphal arch all date from the Middle Ages.

The Minor Basilicas

BASILICA DI SAN GIUSEPPE AL TRIONFALE

Built between 1902 and 1905 by Carlo Busiri Vici, this church recalls the tradition on Romanesque churches in both its façade with rose window and its interior with neo-Cosmatesque polychrome marbles.

BASILICA DEL SACRO CUORE DI CRISTO RE

This church, in the "delle Vittorie" district, contains the work of important Italian artists of the early 20th c. Its distinct volumes are the result of the design by Marcello Piacentini (1931), while the statue over the portal of Christ the King (1933) is the work of Arturo Martini. Inside there are frescoes by Achille Funi.

BASILICA DI SANT'EUGENIO

Founded in 1943 to celebrate the twenty-five years of Pius XII's episcopacy, this church contains a monumental "Way of the Cross" with bronze statues by Giacomo Manzù, Attilio Torresani, Alfredo Biagini, and Antonio Berti. The third chapel on the right is noteworthy for its "St. Philip Neri" by Francesco Messina.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA DEL POPOLO

The Byzantine-style panel over the high altar of the Madonna del Popolo states that the original church was built with the contributions of the Roman people as votive offerings for the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre at the end of the first Crusade. With the passing of time it has been enriched by the splendid works of artists such as Bramante (trasformation of the choir area), Raphael (design of the Chigi Chapel), and Bernini (completion of the Chigi Chapel). The paintings of the "Crucifixion of St. Peter" and the "Conversion of St. Paul" by Caravaggio are not to be missed.

BASILICA DI SANTA TERESA D'AVILA FUORI PORTA SALARIA

Begun in 1901 after a design by Tullio Passarelli of clearly neo-medieval inspiration, this church combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. The façade is preceded by a porch and has a marble-tracery rose window.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA IN MONTE SANTO

This is one of the two "twin" churches designed in 1662 by Carlo Rainaldi, with the aid of Bernini and Fontana, which form the theatrical backdrop of the convergence of the so-called Trident toward Piazza del Popolo. On an elliptical plan with a dodecagonal dome, it has rich chapels with works by Carlo Masatta, Bacicco, and Seiter.

BASILICA DI SAN CAMILLO DE' LELLIS

Built between 1906 and 1910 by architect Tullio Passarelli in neo-Romanesque style.

BASILICA DEI SANTI AMBROGIO E CARLO AL CORSO

Built by Longhi starting in 1612 for the Lombards residing in Rome, this church stands out for its fine cupola, a lovely invention by Pietro da Cortona (1668). The interior is enriched by Baroque artwork: stuccoes, frescoes, statues, and paintings by Carlo Maratta and Pier Francesco Mola.

BASILICA DEI SAN LORENZO IN LUCINA

Remaing of the original 12th c. medieval basilica are the lovely portico with granite columns, campanile and, inside, the Cosmatesque altar frontal and chair of Paschal II. The 17th c. trasformation produced the Fonseca Chapel by Bernini in 1660 and "Crucifix" by Guido Reni.

BASILICA DI SANT'ANDREA DELLE FRATTE

This church is characterized by the alternating concave and convex surfaces of the tall cupola, left unfinished, and the unique campanile, with a square plan and on several levels, both conceived by Borromini. The interior contains and altar by Luigi Vanvitelli and Giuseppe Valadier. Beside it stands the 16th c. closter.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI E DEI MARTIRI

Michelangelo, by then along in years, was engaged by Pius IV to trasform into a church the "Tepidarium" and other rooms of the Baths of Diocletian. The entrance was created by Vanvitelli in 1750, while the interior contains 17th c. works by Domenichino, Maratta and Pomarancio. A meridian in the pavement of the right transept marks the millenary changes of the North Star.

BASILICA DEL SACRO CUORE DI GESU' A CASTRO PRETORIO

This church was built by the architect Vespignani for St. John Bosco in 1879.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA IN VIA LATA

Rebuilt in the form of a basilica in 1491, this church is famous for its façade by Pietro da Cortona (1658-62). Its interior contains a precious tabernacle in alabaster and lapis lazuli and an icon of the Virgin Advocate (12th c.). The atrium leads to rooms from the Roman age which served as an oratory in the 5th c.

BASILICA DI SANT'APOLLINARE

Rebuilt completely in 1741 by Ferninando Fuga, this church has a vestibule decorated with marble and the façade opened by a window with balcony. In the crypt are relics coming from the Roman catacombs.

BASILICA DI SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA DEI FIORENTINI

Granted in 1519 by Pope Leo X to the Florentines residing in Rome, the building was built after a design by Jacopo Sansovino. Maderno designed the tall, elongated cupola. the interior contains the tombs of Maderno and Francesco Borromini, who designed the magnificent Baroque altar.

BASILICA DI SANT'EUSTACHIO IN CAMPO MARZIO

Erected on the site of the martyrdom of St. Eustace and his family, this church was devastated by a flooding of the Tiber in 1598. It was rebuilt in late Baroque style between the 17th and 18th c. with richly decorated chapels.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA AD MARTYRES

Better known as the Pantheon, this building was built in 27 BC by the son-in-law of Augustus, Marco Agrippa and, after a period of abandon, was given by the Byzantine emperor to Pope Boniface IV. From the outside the dome, the largest ever built, is hidden by the magnificent eight-column portico. The interior is adorned with works by Melozzo da Forlì, Lorenzo Lotto, Pietro da Cortona, and Antonio Thorvaldsen, and contains the tombs of the royal family of Italy and of Raphael.

BASILICA DEI SANTI XII APOSTOLI

An 18th c. rebuilding of the 6th c. paleochristian basilica has a neoclassical façade preceded by a Renaissance portico with the Volpato funeral monument by Canova (1807), while the interior, characterized by numerous sepulchral monuments, stands out for its vault frescoed with extraordinary dynamism by Baciccio (1707).

BASILICA DEI SANTI VITALE E COMPAGNI MARTIRI IN FOVEA

The façade, restored in this century (1937-38), shows a rare early Christian style with five arches, later walled in, around the arches of the doorway, and is that which remains of the ancient building founded in the 5th c. to hold the rilecs of Sts Gervase and Protase and their father Vitalis.

BASILICA DI SANTA PUDENZIANA AL VIMINALE

Standing, according to tradition, over the house of the Roman senator Pudens, has an elegant 6th c. doorwau with medieval frieze and, in the apse, fine 4th c. mosaics. Connected to it is the Oratorium Marianum, completely adorned with 11th c. frescoes depicting the legends of the martyrs.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA SOPRA MINERVA

Built over a temple dedicated to Minerva, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style, an extremely rare example in Rome, in 1280. Later it was enriched with Renaissance (paintings by Melozzo da Forlì, Antoniazzo Romano, and frescoes by Filippo Lippi in the Carafa Chapel) and Baroque works (funeral monuments by Bernini). It also contains splendid Cosmatesque tombs (13th c.) and the tombs of St. catherine of Siena and Fra Angelico.

BASILICA DI SAN LORENZO IN DAMASO

Incorporated into the Palazzo della Cancelleria, this was demolished in 1495 and rebuilt after a Renaissance plan, perhaps by Bramante. The Baroque works in the presbytery (Bernini) and the Chapel of the Holy Conception (built by Pietro da Cortona to hold the 12th c. so-called Virgin of Grottapinta) do not alter the purist lines of Vespignani's restoration (1862-1882). There are also funeral monuments by the neoclassical sculptor Pietro Tenerani.

BASILICA DI SANT'ANDREA DELLA VALLE

Begun in 1591, this church is characterized by the magnificent cupola raised by Carlo Maderno in 1622, which is the tallest in Rome after that of St. Peter's. The interior has, in the dome, the spectacular vision of the "Glory of Paradise" by G. Lanfranco (17th c.).

BASILICA DI SAN MARCO EVANGELISTA AL CAMPIDOGLIO

Renovated in the Renaissance style by Paul II in the 15th c., this church was later trasformed between the 17th and 18th c. It preserves its solemn façade of classical inspiration and, inside, the important 9th c. mosaic of the apse.

BASILICA DI SANTA PRASSEDE ALL'ESQUILINO

Preceded by an 11th c. doorway, with ancient capitals, this church preserves, in spite of Renaissance work, interesting remnants of the time of Paschal I: the façade, the mosaics of the apse, and the famous Chapel of St. Zeno, the most important Byzantine monument in Rome.

BASILICA DEI SANTI SILVESTRO E MARTINO AI MONTI

Founded by Pope Sylvester in the 5th c., this church was completely restored in 1636. the interior is decorated with wooden ceilings and 17th c. frescoes by landscape painter Dughet. The Baroque crypt leads to the ancient early Christian Place of worship created from the Baths of Trajan.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA IN ARACOELI AL CAMPIDOGLIO

Erected in the 6th c. on the site of a temple dedicated to Juno, during the Middle Ages it was used for the assemblies of the Roman poeple. The Gothic façade (13th c.) leads into the interior, rebuilt in the 15th c., which has beautiful frescoes depicting the "Stories from the life of St. Bernardino" (1489) by Pinturicchio.

BASILICA DEI SANTI COSMA E DAMIANO IN VIA SACRA

This is the result of the union, carried out in the 4th c., of two pagan buildings: the library of the Forum of Peace and the hall of the Temple of Romulus. Transformed during the Baroque period, it is characterized by the apse totally covered with precious 6th c. mosaics.

BASILICA DI SAN PIETRO IN VINCOLI A COLLE OPPIO

Rebuilt in the 5th c. by the Eudoxia the Younger, the wife of Emperor Valentinian, and later trasformed, this church is famous for the mausoleum of Julius II commissioned from Michelangelo in 1513. Testifying to the greatness of the original design, which was produced in a more modest form, is the statue of "Moses".

BASILICA DI SAN BARTOLOMEO ALL'ISOLA

Standing over the ruins of the temple of Aesculapius, this church has the image of the "Madonna with Child" which miraculously escaped the flooding of the Tiber of 1557. In the presbytery can be seen the weel-curb decorated by the Vassalletti.

BASILICA DI SAN NICOLA IN CARCERE

This interesting building is the result of the combination of three temples of the Forum Holitorum. In 1808 the restoration work by the architect Valadier brought to light the staircase and altar of the Temple of Juno of the external façade. The interior, with Roman columns and paleochristian capitals, has Renaissance paintings.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVA

Known as S. Francesca Romana, this church was completely restructured in 1216 by honorius III. Over the high altr is the 12th c. panel of the "Madonna and Child", while in the sacristy is kept the "Madonna Glycophilusa" icon (5th c.).

BASILICA DI SAN CLEMENTE AL LATERANO

BASILICA DI SANT'ANTONIO DA PADOVA IN VIA MERULANA

An imposing edifice built by the architect Luca Carimini in 1891.

BASILICA DI SANTA CROCE IN GERUSALEMME

Built by Emperor Constantine to hold relics of the Holy Cross of Jesus, this church was transformed in the 12th c. (narthex and campanile) and 18th c. (façade and restoration of the interior). Of interest are the early Christian Chapel of St. Helena, the Giottoesque "Crucifixion", and the frescoes in the apse.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA IN TRASTEVERE

Rebuilt in 1140, this church has a façade decoreted with a 13th c. mosaic and three splendid portals with Roman age cornices. Worthy of note: the marvelous mosaics of the apse, done in part by Pietro Cavallini (1291 ca.) and the monumental icon of the "Madonna of Clemency" (5th-7th c.).

BASILICA DI SAN CRISOGONO

Modernized in 1620 by Cardinal Borghese, this church preserves from the previous 13th c. basilica the granite columns, polychrime marble pavements, precious tabernacle, and apse mosaic. Of interest are the remains of the 5th c. lower church.

BASILICA DI SANTA CECILIA IN TRASTEVERE

Built by Paschal I where St. Cecilia awaited her martyrdom, this church has a tabernacle by Arnolfo di Cambio (1293), a statue of "St. Cecilia" by Maderno, and 9th c. mosaics in the apse. The marvelous "Last Judgement" by Pietro Cavallini, 13th c., is now in the near convent.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA IN COSMEDIN

Renovated in the 9th c., this church stands out for its elegant 12th c. campanile. Beneath the portico is the famous "Bocca della Verità", the mask of a Roman river god. Of interest are the 8th, 9th and 12th c. frescoes.

BASILICA DI SANT'ANASTASIA AL PALATINO

Built in the 5th c. over the remains of the house of Roman matron Anastasia, this church has ancient columns and 18th c. paintings.