4 Papal Basilicas In Rome, Italy: Spiritual Heart Of Christian Faith
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Are you wondering what are the major Papal basilicas in Rome, Italy? I got you covered here! I have been to Rome and the Vatican a number of times as a tourist and visiting friends. I will share with you the major basilicas in the Eternal city that must be included in your itinerary when visiting Rome and the Vatican.
There are a lot of things to do in Rome. You can describe it in different ways, but one thing is for sure, Rome is a church city. While many of the smaller churches are interesting to visit (you never know when you’ll come across a Caravaggio or a macabre relic), it’s the papal basilicas that are truly outstanding. The word basilica comes from a Greek term that means “royal house.” A basilica is a church building in the Catholic world that has been granted special privileges by the pope.
These four major Papal basilicas in Rome are not only pilgrimage sites for Catholics from around the world, but also fascinating cultural attractions for anyone interested in art, history, or religion. Each basilica is full of treasures to discover, from the exquisite 5th-century mosaics of Santa Maria Maggiore to the awe-inspiring architecture of St Peter’s.
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Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy: St. Peter’s Basilica
The current St Peter’s Basilica is not the same as the original 4th-century basilica, which was built on the site of St Peter’s burial on Emperor Constantine‘s orders. The old basilica was in desperate need of renovation by the 15th century, and Pope Julius II decided it would be better to demolish it and replace it with a larger, grander basilica to house his tomb.
The construction took 120 years and included the contributions of many artists and architects, including Michelangelo, who designed the dome. Maderno designed the travertine façade, while Bernini contributed important artistic details such as the massive baldachin over the altar. As a result, the basilica you’ll see on your Vatican tour is mostly Baroque in style and the largest of all the papal basilicas. Here are some of the things that you should not miss when you are around the vicinity:
Before entering the basilica, take in the extraordinary design of St Peter’s Square, which is one of the world’s most beautiful public spaces. Bernini, the Baroque genius, redesigned the piazza, which is notable for its graceful symmetry. Take a walk beneath the vast colonnades that embrace the square, representing “the maternal arms of Mother Church,” and take note of all the interesting architectural details, from the Ancient Egyptian obelisk in the center to the statues of saints lining the rooftop.
The undisputed masterpiece of St Peter’s is Michelangelo’s Pieta, which can be found on the church’s right side. This moving statue, Michelangelo’s only signed work, depicts a young Mary holding the body of the dead Christ. It is one of the most important works of the Renaissance as an example of both classical beauty and naturalism, and as a depiction of maternal love and grief, it never fails to move.
Bernini was also responsible for the magnificent baldachin that rises above the altar, in addition to redesigning the piazza. This massive bronze canopy marks St Peter’s burial place and immediately draws the attention of anyone entering the basilica. There are many other things you can do in the Vatican, it is definitely worth visiting.
Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
St John Lateran, the oldest of the basilicas, was built in the fourth century on the site of an Ancient Roman cavalry fort. Emperor Constantine I gave the land to the Bishop of Rome, and Pope Sylvester I declared it the “Domus Dei” (“House of God”). When the papacy was relocated to Avignon, the Basilica fell into disrepair and was destroyed by fires. It wasn’t until the 18th century that it was restored and enriched by Baroque artists and architects like Borromini.
Francesco Borromini‘s niches were left empty until they were filled with apostle statues in the early 18th century. The statues were designed by a group of renowned sculptors, including Camillo Rusconi and Pierre-Etienne Monnot, and their larger-than-life scale creates a theatrical effect.
For many years, the ancient baptistery was Rome’s only baptistery, and it is notable for its octagonal shape and legendary history; Constantine I was allegedly baptized here. The opulent interior stands out against the plain brick exterior.
There was once a monastery attached to the basilica, but only the 13th-century cloister remains today. The atmospheric cloister – an oasis of calm in the heart of Rome – is often overlooked by visitors, but it is the highlight of tours of St John Lateran.
The Holy Stairs (Scala Santa), a flight of steps that pilgrims climb on their knees, are just across the street from the basilica. The stairs were allegedly brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, and are said to be the steps that Christ climbed on his way to his trial. The Holy Stairs must be climbed on your knees as an act of devotion, but if you prefer to walk, a parallel staircase is available.
The Lateran obelisk, which stands in front of the Lateran Palace, weighs 455 tons and is the world’s largest standing obelisk. Constantius II had it shipped from Egypt to Rome and installed it in the Circus Maximus.
3. Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
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Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy: Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
Santa Maria Maggiore was established in the fifth century and is renowned as ‘Our Lady of the Snows’ due to a legend about a miraculous snowfall in August. It replaced a former church known as the Liberian Basilica after Pope Liberius. Santa
Maria Maggiore was one of the first churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and its grandeur reflects its symbolic significance (as well as the wealth of the Church at that time). The church still maintains its original structure, and occasional restoration work has helped to keep it in pristine condition.
The magnificent mosaics from the fifth century that fill the nave and triumphal arch are the focus of any visit to Santa Maria Maggiore. The mosaics are breathtakingly gorgeous and detailed, and most are even more impressive up close. These comprise some of the first depictions of the Virgin Mary in Christian art and had a significant impact on subsequent artwork.
The Crypt of the Nativity (also known as the Bethlehem Crypt) was meant to look like the grotto where Christ was born in Bethlehem. A piece of wood from Christ’s crib is housed within the reliquary. St. Jerome, who was in charge of translating the Bible into Latin in the fourth century, is buried here.
Santa Maggiore is home to one of Christianity’s most treasured icons. This sacred Byzantine icon, known as the Salus Populi Romani (The Protectress and Health of the Roman People), is often revered by popes and taken about Rome during religious processions. It is thought to be around 1,000 years old and was painted by St Luke himself, according to legend.
Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy: Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
Saint Paul Outside the Walls was built over the purported burial location of St Paul in the fourth century. Over the ages, it underwent different periods of construction and growth. According to legend, the ancient basilica was even greater than the old St. Peter’s basilica.
Unfortunately, in 1823, the actions of a reckless worker resulted in a terrible fire that nearly totally destroyed the basilica. Contributions came from all around the world, including Egypt’s alabaster and Russia’s rare diamonds. The main part of the basilica, from the artwork to the neoclassical façade, was restored in the nineteenth century.
Although the majority of the basilica was damaged in the 1823 fire, it was beautifully repaired, and some original aspects, such as the triumphal arch’s magnificent mosaics, remain. The interesting 5-and-a-half-meter-tall candle stand, which comes from the 12th century and is covered with carvings of Biblical motifs, is another survivor. Keep an eye out for the Whore of Babylon riding a monster at the bottom.
The Apse ceiling is a mosaic masterpiece representing Christ surrounded by Peter, Paul, Andrew, and Luke. It was designed by Venetian artists in the early 13th century and is one of the highlights of a tour of St Paul Outside the Walls.
The basilica’s walls are covered in mosaic papal pictures. Every single pope is depicted here, and legend has it that the world will end when all the vacant areas are filled. In other words, only a few more popes until the end of the world!
The lovely medieval cloister is well worth the little admission cost. It has been called “one of the most beautiful of the Middle Ages,” and it houses remnants of the original basilica as well as several ancient sarcophagi.
Map of the Four Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy:
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between a Catholic Church and a basilica?
The term basilica derives from Latin. Basilicas were the main public forums of a city in the ancient Roman Empire. The Catholic Church kept the name, later using it to denote historic churches, and only the pope can designate the title of a basilica. When the pope visits the diocese where the basilica is located, he meets with the people in the basilica.
When referring to a physical structure, a church is a generic term for a place of worship in the Christian faith. While there is just one capital “C” Catholic Church, there are several tiny “c” churches. Originally, a steeple, vestibule, nave, and altar were identifying features for most, if not all, churches, but they now come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
What is the difference between a Cathedral and a Basilica
A diocese’s mother church is its cathedral. The bishop resides in this parish. It derives from “cathedra,” a Latin word that means “chair” or “throne.” In a similar way that a board chairman preside over his or her board from his or her chair during board meetings, the bishop, in a sense, governs his diocese from the cathedral.
A diocese’s cathedral is a parish with its own congregation of parishioners. As a result, the cathedral parish serves as the county seat for a diocese. Although the cathedral serves as the bishop’s parish, it also has rectors who assist the bishop in managing the cathedral.
Simply put, a basilica is a significant church building that the pope has named as such because of its special spiritual, scholarly, or aesthetic value. A church cannot lose its basilica designation once it has received it; it is the highest permanent designation for a church building.
A basilica may or may not serve as the diocese’s cathedral.
Papal Basilicas in Rome, Italy: Spiritual Heart of Christian Faith
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