Rome Trip Overview
Rome, the heart of Christianity, the seat of the Catholic Church, is the place where history, faith, and art combine in a unique synthesis of majesty and beauty. The millennia of history of this city lives within each monument: basilicas, churches, catacombs. A journey through Christian Rome is a journey to discover places where one can savor the lively history of men and women, popes, saints, and artists who have dedicated their lives to the Church and to spread the Christian message. As the home of the Pope and the Catholic curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to apostles, saints and Christian martyrs, Rome had long been a destination for pilgrims. The Via Francigena was an ancient pilgrim route between England and Rome. It was customary to end the pilgrimage with a visit to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul. For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
Starts: Rome, Italy
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Rome Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Rome, Lazio, Italy
Rome, the heart of Christianity, the seat of the Catholic Church, is the place where history, faith, and art combine in a unique synthesis of majesty and beauty. The millennia of history of this city lives within each monument: basilicas, churches, catacombs. A journey through Christian Rome is a journey to discover places where one can savor the lively history of men and women, popes, saints, and artists who have dedicated their lives to the Church and to spread the Christian message. As the home of the Pope and the Catholic curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to apostles, saints and Christian martyrs, Rome had long been a destination for pilgrims. The Via Francigena was an ancient pilgrim route between England and Rome. It was customary to end the pilgrimage with a visit to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul. For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, Via Appia Antica 110, 00179 Rome Italy
For many visitors to Rome. The most beautiful of the catacombs is undoubtedly the main highlight. Venture deep underground to explore the incredible tunnels that were dug out by hand nearly 2,000 years ago and learn about the very beginning of Christianity. This is a side of Rome you’ve never seen before.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42, 00185 Rome Italy
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is an ancient Catholic basilica that is considered to be the largest of the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It is one of the citys four major basilicas.
Basilica of Saint Mary Major was built on a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major was built in the mid-fourth century under the orders of Pope Liberius. According to legend, the Virgin appeared before the Pope with instructions for building the church. Over the years, the basilica has had many different names, such as Saint Mary of the Snow (two to snow that led to the church’s shape), Saint Mary Liberian (for Pope Liberius), St. Mary of the Nativity (because it received a relic of the Holy Nativity), and it was finally called Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza di Porta San Giovanni, 4, 00184 Rome Italy
The Lateran Palace was handed over to Constantine I to the Bishop of Rome, which was converted to a temple during the fourth century. The Basilica is the oldest church in the world.
Founded during the fourth century in honor of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, St. John Lateran (Basilica of St. John Lateran) is the Cathedral of Rome and the most important of the four major basilicas. It is known as St John Lateran Archbasilica, as it is considered the church of the Roman Catholic faithful.In the early part of the fourth century, the Laterani family was struck by their land as a member of their members was accused of conspiring against the Emperor. Roman basilica.Throughout the centuries, St John Lateran has survived several fires and an earthquake in 897. Nevertheless, it still maintains its first form even though it has been reconstructed on several occasions. The Basilica also houses baptistery, which for many years was the only baptistery in Rome.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran has played an important role throughout history; it was here that all popes were enthroned up until 1870. Nowadays, Basilica of St John Laterno is where the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, celebrates Holy Thursday Mass.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura, Piazzale di San Paolo 1, 00146 Rome Italy
Erected during the fourth century AD, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls) is one of the four major basilicas of Rome, and the second largest after St. Peter’s Basilica. It was founded on the burial ground of St. Paul.
When Paul the Apostle was executed in the first century AD in Rome, his followers built a shrine over his grave. In 324 in small church was completed in 395. After the fire, many countries made donations for the restoration of the church , which was reopened in 1840. The temple was later declared a national monument. The interior of the Basilica of St. Paul is magnificent, with enormous marble columns and beautiful gold mosaics. Unfortunately, because of the fire of 1823, few parts of the Medieval basilica remain intact. However, the church still houses some mosaics from the thirteenth century, a large twelfth-century chandelier, or the marble tombstone under which the remains of St. Paul lie. On the basilica’s walls, visitors will be able to look at the portraits of the popes, while they are looking at the lights of the church. The atrium is located in the exterior of the church. It is made up of 150 columns, and from here, visitors can see the façade of the Basilica covered by an enormous golden mosaic built between 1854 and 1874, which reflects the rays of sunlight. The center of the portico houses a colossal statue of St. Paul.
Although the Basilica is not in the heart of the city, we recommend this unique and astonishing church in order to see its impressive mosaics, atrium and interior. It is one of the most worthwhile of Rome.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme 12, 00185 Rome Italy
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem or Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and titular church in Esquiline district. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. According to tradition, the basilica was consecrated about 325 to house the relics of Jesus Christ brought to Rome by the Holy Land by Empress St. Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I. At that time, the Basilica’s floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem; in Jerusalem, but the Basilica itself is “in Jerusalem” in the sense that a “piece” of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. Several famous relics of disputed authenticity are housed in the Chapel of Relics, built in 1930 by architect Florestano Di Fausto, including part of the Elogium or Titulus Crucis, i.e. the panel which was hung on Christ’s Cross, two thorns of the Crown of Thorns, part of a nail, the index finger of St. Thomas and three small pieces of True Cross. A great larger part of the Holy Cross in 1629 to St. Peter’s Basilica, where it was kept near the colossal statue of St. Empress Helena sculpted by Andrea Bolgi in 1639.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy
Experience a personal tour of the Vatican’s collection with your own private, licensed guide at your side. Described as one of the best experiences in Rome, this tour takes you on a journey of discovery. Revere priceless masterpieces of the Renaissance together with sculptures and mosaics from antiquity. All in the papal collection. All waiting for you to discover them. Taking a private tour means you can customize your time in the Eternal City’s epicenter to include exactly what you want. The Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums ‘mind-blowing collection await you, but so too do Bernini’s stunning sculptures, the Raphael Rooms’ unforgettable frescoes, the stirringly beautiful Flemish artworks of the Gallery of Tapestries, and the hauntingly lifelike statues of the Gallery of the Candelabra.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sistine Chapel, Viale Vaticano, 00165 Vatican City Italy
Regarded as Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel is a jaw-dropping attraction you must see at least once in your lifetime. The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest treasures of the Vatican City, of Rome and of the world in general. It is known as much for its decoration, as for being the temple in which popes are chosen and crowned. The construction of the building was between 1473 and 1481 during the mandate of Pope Sixtus IV, to whom it owes its current name. What grabs the attention in the Sistine are the frescoes that completely cover the walls and the ceiling. Some of the most important artists who worked in the chapel are Botticelli, Perugino, Luca and Michelangelo. It is located in the central part of the vault and represents the story from Genesis in which God gives life to Adam. Located over the high altar Michelangelo’s other masterpiece, The Final Judgment.
Duration: 30 minutes
