Santa Maria Maggiore

This grandiose church stands on the Esquiline Hill. It was built under the pontificate of Sixtus III in the early 15th century and its Romanesque bell tower is the highest in Rome (75 metres).
The mid-18th century facade has five arches and a loggia by Ferdinando Fuga (in the loggia lovely mosaics from a previous facade). Inside there are three naves, a beautiful pavement with geometric designs, and a coffered ceiling by Giuliano da Sangallo. Along the central nave are thirty six mosaic panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament.
The mosaics over the Triumphal Arch, which represent scenes from the Life of Jesus and the Virgin and those over the apse by
Jacopo Torriti (1295 with the triumph of Maria) are beautiful. These mosaics, which span several centuries, are amongst the most precious and beautiful in existence. Noteworthy are also the chapels of this basilica: the Sistine Chapel (built by Domenico Fontana for Pope Sixtus V) and the Paolina Chapel (built by Fiaminio Ponzi for Pope Paul V).

Santa Maria Maggiore - Rome