{"id":2080,"date":"2020-02-26T10:19:26","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T10:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/?p=2080"},"modified":"2021-03-10T15:22:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T15:22:55","slug":"beautiful-prayers-the-most-exquisite-churches-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/beautiful-prayers-the-most-exquisite-churches-in-rome","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful prayers: The most exquisite churches in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We would like to start off this article by saying that although St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most spectacular churches in the world, it is located in the Vatican City, not in Rome. So we will keep to our word and talk about some of the most breathtaking churches in the city of Rome. The Eternal City is\nhome to some of the world\u2019s most beautiful and breathtaking churches. It has\nover 900 churches in all. Earlier, Rome\u2019s churches used to attract pilgrims\nfrom all over the world primarily for the purpose of a pilgrimage. But today,\nmost visitors flock to Rome to witness the exquisite artistry of these edifices.\nHere you\u2019ll find a list of churches that stand out from the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of St. Mary Major) <\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built in 440, the Basilica di Santa Maria, dedicated to Mother Mary, is an\nimportant and ancient one. Its 5th<\/sup> century murals on the arch above\nthe altar illustrate scenes from The Old Testament. Every year in August,\nthousands of white flower petals are showered from the ceiling of the Basilica\nto commemorate the legend of the snowfall in summer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beautiful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basilica di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence Basilica)<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Church is built just outside Rome in dedication\nto Saint Lawrence. The Church\u2019s origins go back to the 6th<\/sup> century.\nNearly every Pope has contributed funds to the church, making it a major and elaborate\nreligious complex in terms of world rankings. It is an important pilgrimage\nsite in Rome.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Giovanni, Laterano<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saint John Lateran<\/a><\/strong> is Rome\u2019s official cathedral where sits the Pope. An important basilica in the city, it is believed to be one of the oldest Catholic churches in Rome. Very little of the original structure survives today, most of it was restored to a newer Baroque style in the 16th<\/sup> and 17th<\/sup> centuries.<\/span><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint Maria Sopra\nMinerva<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva was built on the ruins\nof a monument built in honor of Goddess Minerva.  Its architecture makes it one of the more\nimportant churches in Rome. The Dominicans built it somewhere around the 13th<\/sup>\ncentury AD. It is a Gothic Church of grandeur. It also houses a sculpture by\nMichelangelo.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beautiful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Santa Maria del\nPopolo Basilica<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to legend, this church was built\naround 1100 AD in response to resident\u2019s fears of the spirit of Emperor Nero\nhaunting the area. The inside of the church is a treasure trove full of art\nworks by greats like Raphael and Bernini.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basilica of\nSaint Clement<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Saint Clement\u2019s Basilica is an\narchitecturally significant monument in the Roman cityscape. Built in the 12th<\/sup>-century\nover a Roman temple, which was itself built above a pagan temple, the basilica\nis a standing testimony to Rome\u2019s history. Rome was built layer by layer and\nthis can be best seen at the Saint Clement\u2019s Basilica.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beautiful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basilica di\nSant\u2019Agostino<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though it is a lesser known church, the St\nAugustine church, a Renaissance structure, houses many beautiful artworks. A\nnotable piece of work at the church is Caravaggio\u2019s Madonna of the\nPilgrims<\/em>, which in its time created a furor for its realistic depiction of a\npilgrim. It also houses Isaiah <\/em>by\nRafael which is, legend has it, inspired by Michelangelo\u2019s paintings at the\nSistine Chapel.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pantheon<\/span><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alternately known as the Basilica of Saint Mary and the Martyrs, the Pantheon<\/a><\/strong> was initially a pagan temple which was later converted to a Catholic church. It is still in use. By some estimates, its dome is the single largest concrete dome in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beautiful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lots of visitors might be visiting Rome as mere tourists. But deep down, the best Vatican city tours<\/a> <\/strong>are those where a little homage is paid to the almighty. May your prayers at these churches stand answered. And may you have many more Vatican city tours<\/a> <\/strong>in the future.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ ALSO OUR NEW UPDATES<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n