Saint Mary Major

Consecrated in 434 under Pope Sixtus III, Saint Mary Major is the largest Marian church in Rome and one of the four Papal Major Basilicas. It preserves mosaics from the 5th century, made soon after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary as Mother of God, and is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of St. Philip Neri’s 1552 itinerary.

Highlights

Fifth-century nave and triumphal-arch mosaics, among the oldest surviving in Rome
The Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine-style icon of the Virgin traditionally attributed to St. Luke
Jacopo Torriti’s Coronation of the Virgin in the apse
The Sacra Culla, a relic venerated as part of the Holy Crib
On August 5, white rose petals fall from the dome to commemorate the legendary snowfall said to mark the site

Mass Times

Weekdays — Cappella Paolina: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 6:00 p.m.

Sundays — Cappella Paolina: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00

Sundays — Papal Altar: 10:00, 12:00, 6:00 p.m.

Vigil (pre-festive): 6:00 p.m., Papal Altar

Opening Hours

Museum Pole: Mon–Sat 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (last entry 6:00 p.m.); Sun 12:30–5:00 p.m.

Sacristy: 7:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 3:00–6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. start on holidays)

Address

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00185 Roma (public entrance); Via Liberiana, 27

Saint Mary Major

Highlights

Mass Times

Opening Hours

Address

Official Website