Join us on this exclusive private guided experience inside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of the most important and ancient churches in Rome, and the only papal basilica to have preserved its original early Christian structure for over 1,600 years.

This complete private tour includes exclusive access to the Basilica, the panoramic terrace, and the Museum Areas, offering a unique opportunity to discover hidden spaces rarely open to the general public.

Your journey begins inside the Basilica, where you will be guided by an expert through its most sacred and remarkable highlights. Marvel at the breathtaking central nave decorated with some of the oldest Christian mosaics in the world, dating back to the 5th century and depicting scenes from the Old Testament. Look up to admire the spectacular coffered ceiling, one of the Basilica’s most impressive artistic treasures.

Continue your visit to the Sistine Chapel of Saint Mary Major (not to be confused with the Vatican Sistine Chapel) and the Paolina Chapel, home to the revered Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary deeply venerated by Romans and Popes throughout the centuries. Beneath the High Altar, inside the Confessio, you will discover a crystal reliquary preserving fragments believed to come from the Holy Cradle of Jesus. The tour also includes a visit to the tomb of Pope Francis, as well as the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest artists and architects of the Baroque era.

Next, enjoy exclusive access to the panoramic terrace, where breathtaking views over Rome’s rooftops and historic landmarks await you.

The experience concludes in the Museum Areas of the Basilica. Accompanied by your guide, explore the Loggia of the Blessings and the Hall of the Popes, and discover Bernini’s Spiral Staircase, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Visit the Liberian Museum, home to precious treasures, sacred vestments, ancient relics, and invaluable artworks that preserve the history of the Basilica.

Before you leave, admire the magnificent 18th-century façade and the hidden 13th-century mosaics of the Loggia, which tell the story of the famous “Miracle of the Snow,” according to tradition when the Virgin Mary indicated the site for the church by causing snowfall in August. You will also see the Holy Door, opened only during Jubilee Years as a symbol of mercy and renewal.