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Holy places in Italy. Christian shrines in rome

Orthodox Rome appeared after the great empire borrowed the religious model from the Greeks. Most of the gods that existed among the Greeks received new Roman names and Orthodox Rome acquired its own Olympus.
Several centuries passed, he became disillusioned with his deities, at the end of the 1st century AD. e. Christianity appeared in Italy - a new religion.

Christianity confidently occupied a leading position and gradually forced out other beliefs from the territory of Rome and the whole country. But two centuries later, Flavius ​​Claudius Julian, the Roman emperor, banned Christianity. In 313 AD Constantine the Great, by his decree, called for respect for all religions.

Orthodox Rome received the support of the state and began the construction of one of the oldest churches - the Lateran Basilica, you can see this ancient building in Rome today. By the end of the IV century. pagan faith practically disappeared from the life of the Romans, Christianity entered the life of the Romans. At this time, a huge number of temples were erected, called basilicas by the Romans, for the most part you can admire now. They erected buildings on the site of the destroyed pagan ones, so Orthodox Rome appeared.

The Orthodox shrine is located on the territory of the Vatican. - an incredible and amazing building. The cathedral is majestic, leaving an unforgettable impression on everyone who is nearby.

St. Paul's Basilica

The idea of ​​Orthodox Rome would be incomplete without St. Paul's Basilica. This is the great papal basilica that every believer dreams of seeing. They visit this Orthodox place in Rome in order to receive the absolution of sins in a rite called the “Holy Door”. This action takes place during the Jubilee year in Orthodox Rome, previously such an event took place once every 100 years. The traditions of this event suggest that the pilgrim must go around the 7 temples in the Jubilee year in which these events take place.

In Orthodox Rome, such temples include the Basilica of St. Peter, the Church of the Virgin Mary Maggiore and the Lateran Basilica. The Basilica of Saint Paul is located on the site of the supposed burial place of the Apostle Paul. The first temple here was built by Emperor Constantine, but in 386 Theodosius I, the last Emperor unified Roman Empire, decided that the basilica was too simple decoration and decided to build an impressive building in terms of architecture. Construction was completed only under Pope Leo I in the 5th century.

Orthodox Rome has preserved the basilica almost in its original form, the fashionable changes of the Renaissance and the Baroque style have not touched this temple.


July 15, 1823 A tragedy occurred, the temple was badly damaged by fire. The cause of the fire was the human factor, the workers who worked on the roof did not properly extinguish the fire, as a result, the building was seriously damaged. The recovery process was very long. The reconstruction of the temple was completed only in the nineteenth century.

A special feature is the gallery of portraits of all the Popes, which runs along the perimeter inside the building. If you find yourself in this Orthodox church, you will see that several places for portraits remain empty for now. And in this place of Orthodox Rome, you will be told a legend that at the moment when all the places are filled, the End of the World will happen.

In this Orthodox church in Rome, the main treasure revered by believers is kept - a sarcophagus with the relics of St. Paul. The only one who can serve the liturgy in this place is the Pope.

Orthodox Rome: St. Clement's Basilica

In Orthodox Rome, there is another place of worship that leaves an indelible impression on pilgrims. This is the Basilica of Saint Clement. This temple is located east of the Colosseum. As a rule, all aspiring here remember the burial in this place of the fourth Roman bishop Clement, as well as Cyril and Methodius (part of the relics), who gave us the Cyrillic alphabet.

This temple in Orthodox Rome has one more feature, upon closer acquaintance with this Orthodox place, you will find that the temple consists of three different buildings erected in different time. The lowest level is a building that belongs to the 1st - 3rd centuries. The second level is a Christian Basilica of the 4th century, and finally, the upper tier was built in the 11th century, it is this level that is available during today's inspection of this Orthodox place in Rome. When the lowest layer was discovered, the shock was the fact that it was in this place that

Titus Flavius ​​Clement, a Christian who was exiled to Chersonese for his sermons. The level that is available for inspection today was built according to the traditions of the construction of Orthodox churches. The decoration of the basilica was a unique mosaic on the floor, as well as frescoes on the walls and ceiling. Pay attention to the mosaic "The Cross - the Tree of Life", depicting Christ surrounded by flowers, birds and grapes. This mosaic is different in that for the first time Christ was crucified on it, before that in churches he was depicted resurrected. Here are the tombs of the fourth bishop and the Russian Cyril.

Orthodox Rome received this church in 2009. It was erected on the territory of the Russian embassy. The Orthodox Church is named after the brave girl Catherine, who defended Christianity. Catherine's propaganda and the power of her words were so great that she managed to convert the emperor's wife and part of his army to Orthodoxy. Catherine was executed because she managed to get ahead of the great sages in a philosophical dispute.

Catherine lived in the 4th century. And three centuries later imperishable relics were found on Mount Sinai. The church, built in honor of Catherine, keeps part of the relics of the saint. This Orthodox church was built in 4 years, today it has a functioning children's parish school.

Church of St. Nicholas

Orthodox church in Rome difficult story. The address of the church changed many times until it received the final location in the M.A. mansion. Chernyshevsky. 1932 is the year of the consecration of this Orthodox place in Rome. This temple today is a three-story building, which houses the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, brought here from Sergiev Posad.

Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem (Santa Croce in Jerusalem)

Orthodox Rome honors another of the seven most famous temples. The first church appeared on the site where the palace of Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, used to stand, respectively, was first named in her honor. Interestingly, Elena herself wanted the construction of a basilica. At first, there was a palace on this site, later, during the construction of the basilica, a huge amount of earth brought from Jerusalem itself was poured under the floor of the future building. This fact became the basis for adding the prefix "in Jerusalem" to the name of the temple.

Only in XVII-XVIII centuries the basilica has become what we can see it now in Orthodox Rome. This Orthodox place keeps many relics, including the nail with which Jesus was nailed to the cross, pieces of wood from the cross on which the Savior was crucified, a title, a phalanx of the finger of Thomas the Unbeliever. You can see Orthodox relics if you come to the basilica.

The church has the relics of Venerable Antonietta Meo, a six-year-old girl who died in 1937, but in her short life wrote many letters to God, many of which are considered prophetic.

Basilica of Saint John the Baptist (San Giovanni Laterano)

Orthodox Rome is impossible to imagine without the main cathedral of the city. The Cathedral of Rome in importance is higher than all the described Orthodox churches of the Eternal City. The place on which the temple stands belonged to the second wife of Constantine, he became Orthodox three days before his death. Pope Sixtus V ordered the destruction of the Lateran Palace and outbuildings, and slightly expanded its apsidal part. This cathedral is famous for the trial of the corpse of Pope Formosus. Also in this Orthodox church you can appreciate the mosaic of Jacopo Torrisi, which dates back to 1300.

The Orthodox papal altar of this cathedral faces east, and only the Pope of Rome has the right to worship here. Above this altar, in a 16th-century tabernacle, are the heads of the apostles Peter and Paul.

Among other Orthodox relics of this temple, one can name a piece of the Robe of the Virgin and a small part of a sponge, with visible traces blood. That sponge, according to legend, was watered with vinegar by Jesus Christ before the execution.

Basilica of the Virgin Mary Maggiore (Santa Maria Maggiore)

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the most important cathedrals in Orthodox Rome. There is a legend associated with the construction of the basilica. In 352, Pope Liberius and one of the richest inhabitants of Rome dreamed of the Madonna, who showed them the place where the future temple would be built. The place was also chosen at the behest of the Madonna - the snow lying in the morning hid the future foundation of the basilica. Orthodox Rome, in the person of each Pope of Rome, was constantly engaged in decorating this temple. As a result of such changes, today the Basilica of the Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful Orthodox places in Rome.

A manger is kept here, where the newborn Christ was, a piece of the relics of the Apostle Matthew, the relics of Blessed Jerome of Stridon and an ancient icon of the Mother of God.

The Orthodox basilica in Rome dates back to the 6th century. The building of the basilica was badly damaged during the earthquake of 1348, and then forgotten for a long time. Pope Martin V only in 1417 thought about restoring this church of Rome. However, the restoration work carried out was not final, the Orthodox Church was restored and modified many times.

In this Orthodox place, you can see a painting by Baccio, located in the very center of the interior, as well as several frescoes.

Here in the marble sarcophagus in the chapel under the main altar are the relics of the Apostles Philip and James the Younger. In the inner courtyard of the monastery, there is a marble sarcophagus in the wall with a sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarotti above it. The Orthodox Church was the burial place of Michelangelo, but now there is no body in the sarcophagus. He was once taken to Florence by the master's nephew.

Orthodox building, one of the most famous treasures of Orthodoxy. The mention of the appearance of this church in Rome dates back to the VIII century.

Who erected this Orthodox building in Rome is unknown, but the Holy Staircase is kept here, according to legend, Jesus Christ climbed it several times to be executed.
Restoration of the stairs takes place regularly. But such a stream of pilgrims passes daily along the steps that even the wooden top protection cannot withstand. The Orthodox honor the story that Jesus, who was being led up this staircase to be crucified, dropped drops of blood on the steps. Today, these marks are glazed and located on the 2nd, 11th and 28th steps.

In the system of life priorities modern man material values occupy a dominant position, because of which a gap is gradually formed in the spiritual life.

Someone does not attach any importance to this at all, and someone is trying with all his might to fill this gap, and therefore, when planning his vacation, he begins to be interested not in the star rating of the hotel and not in the presence of an all inclusive system, but in tours that fall into the category of the so-called " religious tourism».

Types of religious tourism

Religious tourism involves visiting places that have played important role in the formation or development of any of the world religions, while the goals of such visits can be completely different, depending on which two types of tours are distinguished in this type of vacation - pilgrimage trips and religious tours of an excursion and educational orientation.

The latter are ideal for those who are driven to shrines by a thirst for new knowledge, who perceive religious sites more as monuments of culture and history than as a place of worship. But only those for whom religious feelings are paramount can become a pilgrim.

When choosing the type of religious tourism that suits you best, you should also take into account the fact that on pilgrimage trips you may encounter rather harsh living conditions - the place where you will be accommodated can be an ascetic monastic cell or a tent camp. It's the same story with food - the menu usually doesn't shine with a variety of dishes, especially if your trip coincides with the days of any post.

Therefore, if you want not only new experiences, but also familiar comfort, then you should seriously think about whether you can still try on the title of a pilgrim.

By the way, it is fair to call a traveler going to bow to religious shrines a “pilgrim” only in relation to Orthodox Christians. In Catholic Europe, such travelers are called "pilgrims". In Islam, such a phenomenon is called "hajj", in Buddhism, visiting places associated with the life of the Buddha, as well as other saints and the greatest masters of this religion, is denoted by the word "bark".

Main directions

For each of the major world religions, one can single out their own areas of religious tourism. However, there is a unique place on our planet, a city where the shrines of Christianity, Islam and Judaism are concentrated in the very closest neighborhood - the Israeli city of Jerusalem.

The Jews who arrived here first of all go to the Wailing Wall, the only surviving fragment of the ancient Temple Mount complex, where the Temple of Jerusalem, the main shrine of Judaism, was located. The long-standing loss of this symbol of the past greatness of Israel, the Jews mourn here to this day, but at the same time here they pray for revival and prosperity. united country for the Jewish people.

For Christians, Jerusalem is the place where the fundamental events for this religion took place - the Crucifixion of Christ and the Resurrection of the Lord. In general, in this city and in the territories adjacent to it there is a great many Christian shrines, and therefore for adherents of this most numerous world religion, Jerusalem is the most sacred place on earth.

Muslims visit the octagonal mosque Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, where the footprint of the Prophet Mohammed remained and where, according to legend, the hair from his beard is stored in one of the pillars.

Thus, the city of three religions is dominant for two of them, and only for Muslims, the sacred cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are paramount.

Hajj here is obligatory for every true believer, and a visit to Mecca and Medina will be considered a hajj only ten days before the Kurban Bayram holiday, provided that during this time the Muslim performs all the rituals prescribed in the Koran.

In Mecca is the main mosque of the Muslim world Al-Haraam and the sanctuary of the Kaaba, and in Medina - the tomb of the prophet. Also important holy places of Islam are in Istanbul, Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo and Delhi.

However, be that as it may, Western Europe is still a stronghold of Catholicism, the outpost of which is located in Rome, in the Vatican, but by and large Catholic shrines can be found in almost any city of the modern European Union.

As for Buddhism, in this religion it is believed that the body of the Buddha after death was cremated, and the ashes were divided into 8 parts and placed in stupas, which today are in 8 different places. Of these, the four most revered are distinguished - in Nepal, in the city of Lumbini, and India, in Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Sarnath. There are also large Buddhist centers in Tibet, in Lhasa, the largest Buddha statue is located in Japanese Nara. In addition, Buddhists often visit Sri Lanka, Thailand, whose capital, Bangkok, is even called the city of angels, Indonesia and Cambodia, and in Russia, in Kalmykia, there is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe.

The Pilgrimage Road also leads to Rome

Where was the first Christian church founded? ATRome! Where is the largest church of the Virgin located? ATRome! Do you want to see the table at which theLast Supper, or the holy ladder by which Jesus ascended to Pontius Pilate? The Eternal City will tell you its Biblical story.

Rome has long been popular with tourists. It seems that we know everything about it - about the Colosseum, and about the Parthenon, and about the famous fountains. But I want to talk about Rome as a place of pilgrimage, a place where all milestones in the history of Christianity converged. Some of the monuments that I will mention are included in the standard sightseeing tours to Italy, others are found on the map only by the most meticulous tourists.

Let's start with the most ancient stage - Old Testament. The famous temple of San Giovanni in Laterano - the Cathedral of Rome, the very first temple not only in Rome, but in the whole world, was founded by Constantine under the name of the Cathedral of the Savior after the end of the persecution of Christians and the recognition of Christianity as an imperial religion. In the Holy of Holies - the personal papal chapel of the temple - the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This is the main shrine of the people of Israel, which is a chest containing the tablets of the law given by God to His people as a sign of an alliance at Sinai (Ex. 40, 20 and 3 Kings 8-9). Here one could also see the rod of Aaron, the elder brother of Moses and his preacher, the first high priest, blossoming with almond flowers. This rod swallowed up the rods of the Egyptian sorcerers (Ex. 5, 1), it was also used in the first three Egyptian plagues - "water that became blood, frogs and midges" (Ex. 7, 8 - 13). There was also a golden urn with manna from heaven - the food of the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert, which fell from heaven. Manna is “something small, grainy, small, like frost on the ground” (Ex. 16:4), “the people went and collected it, and ground it in millstones or pounded in a mortar, and boiled it in a cauldron, and made cakes out of it ... And when the dew descended on the camp at night, then the manna also descended on it "(Numbers 11, 7 - 9), it melted in the sun (Ex. 16, 21). The cloak of the Virgin Mary was also kept in the same cathedral.

The Holy of Holies was open to pilgrims until the end of the 16th century, until it was plundered by French soldiers. Now you can only look into it through the bars ...

It must be admitted that the ancient Romans were a rather presumptuous people. This was fully manifested in the rite of evocation. During preparations for a military campaign, the Romans, without a shadow of embarrassment, turned to the gods of the opposing side with a demand to go over to their side. If the gods, dumbfounded by such impudence, obeyed, then the Romans guaranteed them, for their part, reverence and corresponding honors. Alas, there is no evidence of the exact number of gods who went over to the side of the Romans.

The Nativity of Christ is represented in Rome by fragments of a manger kept in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. This is also one of the very first churches in Rome and the largest among all the churches dedicated to the Mother of God. An interesting story is connected with its foundation. On the night of August 5, 352, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to the patrician Giovanni and Pope Liberius, ordering them to build a church on the spot where snow would fall in the morning. A miracle happened, the church was built, and August 5 is still celebrated as the day of Our Lady of the Snows. In the church of Site Croce in Jerusalem there are stones from under the holy manger, where the Virgin Mary laid the Child (Lk. 2, 7,12).

In the Catholic hierarchy, the Church of San Giovanni in Laterano stands above all other temples in the world. The inscription above the entrance reads: "the most holy Lateran Church, mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world."

But most of all the Christian relics of Rome are associated with the passion of Christ. They reflect all tragic story Holy Week. In San Giovanni in Laterano, a part of the table was kept, at which the Last Supper took place - an Easter feast arranged by Jesus together with His disciples on the eve of His execution (Mt. 26, 20-29; Mk. 14:17-25; Lk. 22, 14 -20; John 13). Next to this temple, the Holy Staircase was laid, along which Jesus ascended to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to whom he was brought to trial. Pontius Pilate, knowing about the innocence of Jesus, "washed his hands before the people, and said: I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man" (Mt. 27, 24). St. Helena took 28 marble steps first to Constantinople, and from there they already got to Rome. Previously, they were located on the street, but later, at the end of the 16th century. they were moved under the roof. Today, the marble steps are hidden under the wooden flooring, but you can still climb the stairs only on your knees. For me personally, the spiritual experience gained in this kneeling ascent turned out to be invaluable. The ladder is set up in such a way that, having started the ascent, it is no longer possible to interrupt it - after all, you will not begin to slide down, walking backwards on your knees. And you can’t step aside - a staircase with a railing goes along the walls. Whether the pilgrim is tired, whether he wants to go further, or whether he decides that he has already forgiven his sins, there is no turning back. How often in our lives do we find ourselves in this situation! And there is only one way out - to move forward as quickly and stubbornly as possible ...

In the church of Santa Prassede, next to the altar, there is a small pillar, to which Christ is believed to have been tied or chained during the scourging (Mt. 27, 26). The pillar was brought to Rome from Jerusalem in the 13th century.

The relics of the Church of Santa Croce in Jerusalem are connected with the last minutes of Jesus' earthly life.

Here are stored three chips from His cross, two thorns from the crown of thorns, a nail (John 20.25) and a wooden tablet with an inscription on the cross, made in Greek and Latin - "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." In the same place, an inscription in Hebrew is faintly visible (Mt. 27, 48). I must say that at least 34 holy nails are known in the world. However, this does not mean that the relics are fake. It is believed that St. Helena ordered to make 12 smaller ones out of 4 genuine nails. According to another version, when new nails were cast, a drop of molten metal from holy nails was added to them, and thus the number of relics increased significantly.

In the same church, you can see the crossbar on which the good thief was crucified next to Jesus (in total, two thieves were crucified next to Jesus). But if one of them slandered Him, then the second humbled the first and said: "We are justly condemned, but He did nothing wrong" and asked the Lord to remember him in His Kingdom. To this Jesus replied: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” – Mk. 23.40).

Rome is also full of places associated with the apostles and early Christians. Let's start, of course, with the Colosseum - Flavius ​​​​Amphitheater - where they took martyrdom for the faith of thousands of followers of Christ. In their memory, in 1926, a cross was erected here. Here, every year, the Pope in Good Friday makes his Way of the Cross.

In the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the highest bell tower in Rome is 75 meters (perhaps this is where the name Maggiore comes from - the highest).

In the church of Santa Croce in Jerusalem, the finger of the holy Apostle Thomas is kept, which, having doubted the resurrection of the Lord, put it into the wounds of Christ to make sure that the crucified Jesus who appeared to the apostles was indeed (John 20, 27). And in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore you can see the body of the Apostle Matthias, who was ranked among those by lot after the death of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1, 21-26). There are several versions about his death - he was either crucified or stoned and beheaded at the request of the Romans.

In the church of San Alfonso there is a copy of the icon of Our Lady with the Child, painted by St. Luke. According to legend, Mary herself liked the icon, and she blessed this image. After her ascension to heaven, St. Luke sent the image to his friend Theophilus. Until 1453, it was kept in Constantinople, and during the storming of the city by the Turks it was destroyed. The icon is filled with semantic content: the Lord in childhood had a vision of His passion and death. Sleeping in the arms of the Mother, He suddenly woke up and saw the Archangel Michael, holding in his hand a spear with a sponge on the tip. The baby looked the other way and saw the archangel Gabriel with a cross and nails. Jesus started, and a sandal fell off His foot. The baby hugs tightly right hand Mother, and she presses Him to her.

Many places in Rome are also associated with the life and death of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.

The Apostle Peter - originally his name was Simon - the brother of the Apostle Andrew, a fisherman from Bethsaida. He was already married and had a home in Capernaum when Jesus called him. It was Peter who Jesus handed over the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 16:18-19) and placed His Church on him. And it was Peter who was the constant companion of the Lord until His death (although after it he denied Him three times before the rooster crowed; but he was one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection and confirmed to Jesus his love for Him three times). St. Peter was crucified head down under the emperor Nero.

Let's start with the famous place Quo vadis (Where are you going?). During the persecution of Christians by Nero after the burning of Rome, St. Peter was advised to flee the city. Going outside the Appian Gate (now the Gate of St. Sebastian), he saw a traveler coming towards him and recognized Christ in Him. The apostle asked Him, "Where are you going?" and Jesus replied, "I'm going to Rome to be re-crucified." Then St. Peter was ashamed and returned to the city, and at the place of the appearance there were traces of divine feet. This tradition is preserved in the writings of Origen. Now the footprints of the Savior are also kept in the temple of San Lorenzo fuori le mura.

In the XXI century, the Colosseum was among the contenders for the title of one of the seven New Wonders of the World, which, according to the results of the vote, which were announced on July 7, 2007, was recognized.

In the monastery courtyard of the church of San Pietro in Montorio, the place where St. Peter was crucified is venerated, whose body rests in the Cathedral of St. Peter, and the head - together with the head of the Apostle Paul - in San Giovanni in Laterano.

In the catacombs of Domitilla, Saint Petronilla is buried, according to legend, the daughter of the Apostle Peter.

The Apostle Paul was born in Tarsus. His original name was Saul. He took part in the persecution of the first Christians until Christ appeared to him on the way to Damascus and asked why he was persecuting Him. Then the conversion of Paul took place, who, being blinded, did not eat or drink for three days. At that time, there was a certain Christian Ananias in Damascus, to whom the Lord appeared and commanded to go to Paul and heal him. Ananias did what was said, and St. Paul began preaching in Damascus and then arrived in Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-19). Subsequently, he made many missionary journeys. In the end, he was arrested and brought to Rome, where he was martyred - he was beheaded.

Rome occupies a special place among European capitals. It is a symbolic city, a primary source city where Western civilization originated. The mighty Roman Empire, which subjugated the entire Mediterranean, began right here - on the banks of the Tiber River. The historical and cultural heritage of Rome is priceless; architectural and cultural masterpieces await tourists at every step.

Rome is the legendary Colosseum and the treasures of the Vatican Museums, the historic ruins of the Capitol and the magnificent facades of baroque villas. The whole city can be viewed as a museum under open sky, on its streets and squares lives the history of three thousand years of development of civilization, thought, art and culture.

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What to see and where to go in Rome?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

The main arena of Ancient Rome, a theater for gladiator fights, persecution of captives by wild animals and other no less bloody performances of the annual Games of the capital of the Empire. In honor of the opening of the Colosseum in 80 AD. the Great Games were arranged, which lasted more than 3 months. The ancient stones of the Arena still remember the gladiators killed for the amusement of the public and the slaves from the occupied provinces torn to pieces for pleasure.

Construction of the II century BC, "temple of all gods" in Greek. The Pantheon was created during the period of the highest flowering of ancient Roman architecture. For many centuries, pagan gods were worshiped under the dome of the building, until at the beginning of the 7th century the Pantheon was turned into a Christian temple. The building has survived to this day in good condition thanks to numerous restorations that began before the advent of our era.

City-state, stronghold and main bastion catholic church, residence of the Pope. In total, about 800 people are citizens of the Vatican, mostly priests and church employees. The Vatican is famous for its museums, which contain outstanding collections of paintings, sculptures and applied arts. This is a real treasure trove of humanity. Also, tourists are attracted by the main Catholic church - St. Peter's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Catholic branch of Christianity. Here the Pope himself conducts festive masses. The temple arose on the site of the former circus of Nero in the 4th century. At first it was a small basilica where the relics of the Apostle Peter were kept. In the 15th century it was rebuilt into a grandiose building. Raphael, Michelangelo, Peruzzi, Maderno and others worked on St. Peter's Cathedral. In front of the temple is a wide square with a colonnade of 284 Doric columns.

Memorial architectural complex of the 18th-19th centuries. in honor of King Victor Emmanuel, the first ruler of a united Italy. On the site in front of the monumental palace, the Eternal Flame burns and a guard of honor is on duty. The inhabitants of Rome are not too fond of this bulk of white marble, as they believe that it does not fit into the architecture of the city. Some Romans refer to Vittoriano as a ridiculous "wedding cake".

The construction began to be built in the era of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century AD. During its existence, it served as a papal dwelling, prison, warehouse and even a tomb. Today, the fortress houses the Military History Museum. The castle got its name in the 6th century AD. after the image of the Archangel Michael appeared to Pope Gregory. Directly from the castle, a picturesque bridge is thrown across the Tiber River, which was built under the emperor Hadrian. On the bridge it was possible to get to the Champ de Mars by the shortest route.

The very heart of Ancient Rome, where important state and social events took place - the fate of laws was decided, consuls were elected, the triumphs of emperors took place after victorious wars. After the fall of the Empire, the forum was destroyed and devastated, and time did its work, so only fragments have survived to this day. The remains of the forum are part of a protected archaeological area, where an open-air museum operates.

The forum appeared at the turn of II-I centuries. BC. At that time it was big square, surrounded by the market, the temple of Emperor Trajan, Greek and Latin libraries. The 38-meter column of Trajan made of Carrara marble has survived to our time. Inside the column is the tomb of the emperor himself and his wife. Trajan's Forum is the last building of its type built in Rome.

Remains of ancient Roman baths along the Appian Way. The culture of visiting the term was well developed in the Roman Empire. People came here to talk, learn the latest news or hold business negotiations. The Baths of Caracalla were built in the 3rd century AD. under the emperor Septimius Bassian Caracalla. Already in the 5th century AD. this architectural complex began to be considered a real wonder of the world. In addition to baths and pools, there was a library here.

The triumphal arch erected by Emperor Constantine in honor of the victory in civil war over the troops of his rival Marcus Aurelius Valery Maxentius. It was under Constantine that Christianity became official religion(the ruler believed that God himself helped him come to power), the capital of the Empire is transferred to Constantinople, and Rome gradually begins to lose its former power and decline.

One of the most ancient Christian churches, the first temple of Rome. In the church hierarchy, it is above all others, even above St. Peter's. The Catholic hierarchs awarded her the title of "basilica major", that is, "senior". She is recognized as "the head and mother of all churches." The temple appeared during the reign of Constantine under Pope Sylvester I in the 4th century AD. Six Popes are buried in the basilica and the relics of the Apostles St. Paul and St. Peter are kept.

Temple of the 4th century AD, erected on the burial site of the Apostle St. Peter, who was executed at the behest of Emperor Nero in the 1st century AD. The building was rebuilt several times under the emperors Theodosius I and Valentinian II. Almost every Catholic Pope tried to bring something of himself into the temple complex, so over time, San Paolo Fuori le Mura expanded in size and grew with new additions.

One of the four main Catholic churches Rome. Has a very high status in church rank cathedrals (the highest status was given to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano). The foundation stone of Santa Maria Maggiore was laid in the middle of the 4th century. In the XIV century, a 75-meter bell tower appeared near the church. The facade, which has survived to this day, is a mixture of Romanesque and Baroque styles.

The main Jesuit temple in Rome, where the Grand Master Ignatius Loyola is buried. The first project of the temple was developed by Michelangelo, but the head of the order did not like it. In 1561, another architect, Giacomo Barozzi, began construction according to his own plan. Until the abolition of the Jesuit Order at the end of the 18th century, significant wealth was stored in the church of Il Gesu. The church building itself was taken away from the organization. Only after 1814 it was returned back.

Oval square in the central part of Rome, located on the site of the former circus of Domitian. Since the 16th century, ambassadors, cardinals, bankers and other wealthy representatives of society began to settle in this area. From the 15th century until the middle of the 19th century, there was a market here. In the middle of the square is the Fountain of the Four Rivers - a sculptural group with a deep symbolic meaning. In the middle of the composition rises an obelisk, symbolizing the power of the Pope. Around the obelisk are sculptures representing the rivers of four continents.

In a free translation into Italian, the name of this place sounds like "People's Square". Piazza del Popolo played an important role in the life of Rome, as the road to the northern provinces began from here. The square is decorated with the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo and the Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II. Mine modern look piazza got in early XIX century, the architect D. Valadier worked on it.

Palace of the XVI century, built for Cardinal Scipione Borghese on the site of former vineyards. The building is surrounded by a huge English-style park with numerous antique statues. On the territory there is a hippodrome, a zoo, a theater and several museums. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the mansion with the park belonged to the Borghese family, then all the property went to the state.

It is located on the hillside of Pincho on the site of the former gardens of Lucullus. In the middle of the 16th century, the territory near the hill became the possession of the Medici Cardinal, who built a villa-residence here for his family. After the extinction of the Medici dynasty, the house and surrounding lands were transferred to the Lorraine family. The Medici Cardinal acquired many works of ancient art to decorate the villa. Some examples can be admired in the Uffizi Gallery.

Numerous underground galleries and labyrinths that are located under the surface of Rome. Many pre-Christian burials have been found here, but the foundations of some of the underground passages were created in the era of early Christianity. The first associates of Jesus hid in these dungeons. Here they held religious rites, meetings, prayers without the danger of being discovered and caught.

It is believed that the building was erected in the 1st century BC. It served for burial purposes - here is the tomb of Praetor Gaius Cestius Epulus. The construction took place during the period of the conquest of Egypt, when in Ancient Rome there was a fashion for the "Egyptian style". At that time, obelisks, sculptures and other monuments were taken out of the Nile Valley. The Pyramid of Cestius reaches a height of 37 meters and a width of almost 30 meters.

Ancient hippodrome between the Palatine and Aventine hills. In the era of the Roman Empire, chariot races were held here. Under Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, the circus was rebuilt and grew to a fairly large size. More than 250 thousand people could watch the spectacle at the same time. In the spectator sector, lodges for patricians and standing places for plebeians were equipped.

One of the most important roads of the Roman Empire, which led from the Eternal City to the south of the Apennine Peninsula. The total length of the route is more than 500 km. The road began to be built in the 4th century. Due to the excellent quality of the pavement masonry, the Appian Way made it possible to quickly reach places remote from the capital or to transfer troops in a fairly short time. The roadbed has survived to this day in very good condition.

Italian baroque staircase in the center of Rome. It is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Europe. The stairs start at the Plaza de España and lead to Pincho Hill. The Plaza de España itself is a very expressive place, where it is always pleasant to stroll among the flowering flower beds. In the 17th century, the Spanish embassy was located here. As a sign of good relations between the two countries, the piazza was named after Spain.

Bright and colorful Roman quarter across the Tiber River. Here in the XVIII century BC. the Etruscan tribe settled, from which the history of the Eternal City began. In the era of the Empire, luxurious patrician villas stood here. In the area, many buildings and residential buildings are many hundreds of years old, so they look very authentic and attractive to tourists. People continue to live in dilapidated houses.

The most famous Roman fountain of the 18th century, where every guest of the city is simply obliged to throw a coin for good luck. In a week, coins are thrown in the amount of several thousand euros. All money goes to a charitable foundation. The sculptural composition of the fountain consists of the figure of the sea god Neptune on a chariot and his companions. 16 architects fought for the right to work on the construction of the fountain.

If you are going to Rome, you are surely preparing for an encounter with ancient history and beautiful art. After all, in Rome, before the astonished travelers, the history of the formation of the entire European civilization comes to life. Moreover, numerous architectural, sculptural and artistic masterpieces do not necessarily “hide” in or palaces. Works of art can be found in almost any part of the city, in almost any lane! And the special "custodians" of the cultural and historical treasures of the Eternal City are the cathedrals and churches of Rome. You can find everything in them - a rich history, expressive architecture, unique paintings and sculptural masterpieces, and, of course, priceless Christian relics. We invite you to take a look at the most famous and interesting basilicas and churches of Rome with us and find out what treasures they hold.

The main cathedrals of Rome

Among the many Roman churches, the Catholic Church highlights several of the most significant. These are the so-called "papal basilicas" (Basilica Papale), which have a special status in the Catholic world and are directly subordinate to the Pope. Officially, they are part of the Vatican, wherever they are geographically located. Let's "look" into some of them - the most famous and interesting for tourists.

Basilica di San Pietro

Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is the largest Christian cathedral in Rome and one of the largest in the world. But he is famous not only for his grandiose size. The architectural harmony and luxury of the decoration of the temple are amazing. And this is not surprising, because such masters as Michelangelo (the author of the famous dome of the cathedral), Bernini (the creator of the amazing colonnade in the square), Raphael, Bramante and many other outstanding architects, sculptors and painters worked on the construction and decoration of the cathedral.

St. Peter's Basilica is the heart of the Vatican. And the heart of the cathedral itself is the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle. It is above it that the main altar of the basilica is located, it was because of it and for its sake that a temple was built on this site in the 4th century. In addition, St. Peter's Basilica houses many other relics and, of course, unique works of art.

The Cathedral of St. Peter is so large that, according to legend, a whole army of soldiers was somehow "lost" in it - they say that the commander who was late for the service simply did not notice them. What can we say about tourists who find it so difficult to understand all the variety of interesting artifacts of the cathedral! In order not to get lost in the cultural and historical richness of this temple, explore it with our audio guide! We have created a fascinating audio tour "" so that St. Peter's Cathedral opens up for you, reveals some of its secrets, stories and legends. Download the Travelry guide with audio guide so you don't miss out on the highlights and most important relics of St. Peter's Basilica.

Opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica: from October 1 to March 31 - 7.00-18.30 (closed on January 1 and 6); from April 1 to September 30 - 7.00-19.00.

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Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, or the Lateran Basilica of St. John, is one of the first Christian churches in the Eternal City. This majestic cathedral was founded in the 4th century, under Emperor Constantine the Great. It is also called the "archibasilica", that is, the main basilica. Yes, yes, it is this cathedral of Rome that, according to its official status, is the main one in the Catholic world, even more important than St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican! After all, it was here, in Laterano, that the residence of the popes was once located. And up to 1870 in this cathedral was elevated to papal rank.

The interior of this grandiose basilica impresses with its grandeur and solemnity. An attentive traveler will find a lot of interesting things in it, especially if with him. Mosaic floor, beautiful statues of the apostles, a 13th century mosaic behind the central altar, a 16th century organ, magnificent reliquaries…. Important shrines are kept in the temple - the heads of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, as well as part of the table at which Christ and the apostles ate the Meal at the Last Supper.

Address: Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Opening hours: 7.00 - 18.30 (without lunch).

Learn a lot about the Lateran Basilica interesting facts and stories with an audio tour " ”, which is available in our guide to Rome for iPhone.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

There is a beautiful legend about the construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In this section of our in question just about him:

Built in the 4th century, Santa Maria Maggiore is not only one of the oldest, but also the fourth largest church in Rome. However, despite its grandeur, the cathedral keeps very touching relics. Among them are fragments of a wooden manger, in which, according to legend, the baby Jesus lay. Another shrine of the temple is the ancient miraculous image of the Virgin. It is believed that it was written by the holy evangelist Luke. The icon is called "The Salvation of the Roman People", which is associated with one of the many miracles - the salvation of Rome from the plague, which occurred in the 6th century through prayers to the Mother of God.

Of particular note in the cathedral are the ancient mosaics of the 5th century, the luxurious decoration of the side chapels (especially the Borghese chapel), the ancient mosaic floor, the majestic coffered ceiling of the 15th century and many other amazing and beautiful details that make up the majestic appearance of the temple.

Above the cathedral rises a 75-meter Romanesque bell tower, which is considered the highest in Rome.

Address: Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42
Opening hours: 7.00 - 18.45 (without lunch).

If you are going to visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and are traveling around Rome with your iPhone, we recommend downloading the audio tour " ”, in which a detailed and interesting story is dedicated to this cathedral.

Basilica of St. Paul's "Behind the Walls" (San Paolo fuori le mura)

One of the main papal basilicas in Rome. The basilica was founded during the reign of Emperor Constantine in the 4th century on the resting place of the holy Apostle Paul. It is this most important Christian relic that attracts many pilgrims to this day. In the courtyard of the temple (created back in the 13th century), many other shrines are kept. And the luxurious interior of the basilica impresses with an abundance of beautiful works of art.

The address: Piazzale di San Paolo, 1
Opening hours: 7.00-18.30.

Secrets of antiquity: ancient frescoes, Byzantine mosaics and antique artifacts

Church Santa Maria in Trastevere(Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere)

One of the oldest Roman churches, built in the 3rd century, even before the official adoption of Christianity! This church is considered the first official Christian temple Rome. The basilica acquired its Baroque façade at the beginning of the 17th century. However, despite a number of reconstructions, the elements of medieval decoration are well preserved in the church. In particular, the beautiful mosaics of the 12th century that adorn the facade of the church, as well as the frescoes of Pietro Cavallini inside.

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Opening hours: 7.30 - 21.00, in August 8.00-12.00 and 16.00-21.00.

Church of San ClementeSan Clemente)

The Church of San Clemente is also one of the oldest in Rome. Looking around this church, you can study different eras, plunging deep into the centuries. The fact is that under the main building of the XI-XII century (which in itself deserves attention), an older church, built back in 385, has been preserved. And even lower, under the early Christian basilica, you can see a piece of antiquity! At the lowest level, the ruins of a pagan temple dating from the 3rd century and the ruins of an ancient city from the 1st century are preserved - what remains after the great fire of 64, attributed to Nero. It still flows there underground river part of an ancient Roman aqueduct.

To descend to the lower levels, you must purchase a ticket.
Address: Via Labicana, 95
Opening hours: weekdays 9.00-12.30 and 15.00-18.00; Sundays and holidays 12.00 - 18.00.

Church of Saint Pudenziana (Chiesa di SantaPudenziana al Viminale)

Among the oldest churches in Rome, the church of St. Pudenziana also stands out. It was built on the site where once stood the house of the Roman senator Puda, the father of Saint Pudentiana. The remains of an ancient 1st century house belonging to Pud (Palazzo di San Pudente) are located under the church. It was in this house that the first Christian community of Rome gathered. Senator Pud received the apostles Peter and Paul, as well as other believers, in his house. An ancient tradition calls him "a friend of the apostles." Subsequently, Pud himself was numbered among the 70 holy apostles. And the church is dedicated to one of his daughters - St. Pudentiana.

In the second century, baths were built on the site of the Puda house. And at the end of the 4th century, after the adoption of Christianity, one of the first Roman churches appeared here. The church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. In the church, the ancient mosaic above the main altar in the semi-dome is remarkable - it dates from the end of the 4th - the beginning of the 5th century and is considered one of the oldest in Rome. In addition, old paintings and frescoes attract attention.

Now the Church of Santa Pudenziana is the national church of the Philippine community in Rome.

Address: Via Urbana, 160
Opening hours: 8.30 - 12.00 and 15.00 - 18.00 (break from 12 to 15.00)

Church of Saint Praxeda (Santa Prassede all'Esquilino)

The church was built in the 9th century by Pope Paschal and is dedicated to Pudenciana's sister, another daughter of Pud, Saint Praxeda. According to legend, together with her sister Pudenziana, Saint Praxeda sheltered persecuted Christians in her house (they lived during times of cruel persecution, in the 1st century), took care of them, and buried the martyrs. The relics of the holy sisters rest in the underground crypt of the church.

In this temple, one cannot pass by the amazing chapel of St. Zeno. It is decorated with amazing colorful mosaics created by Byzantine craftsmen who took refuge in Rome from iconoclastic persecution.

On the right side of the Zeno Chapel there is a great Christian relic - "Colonna della Flagellazione", the upper part of the pillar to which Jesus Christ was tied during the scourging. This relic was brought in 1223 from Constantinople. Two other parts of the same pillar are in Jerusalem and in Constantinople.

Address: Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a
Opening hours: weekdays 7.30 - 12.00 and 16.00 - 18.30, weekends 8.00 - 12.00 and 16.00 - 18.30.
http://www.romaspqr.it/

We visit all three churches mentioned above - San Clemente, Santa Praxeda and Santa Pudenziana - in an audio tour " » with travel guide for iPhone Travelry. In it, we recall both the amazing history, and the shrines of these places, and their cultural treasures.

Church of Santa Cecilia in Trasteverein Trastevere)

The church dedicated to St. Cecilia, the patroness of music, has existed since the 5th century and, according to legend, was built on the site of the house in which the saint lived. It is impossible to ignore and pass by the sculpture of Stefano Maderno, amazing in its beauty and tenderness, depicting Saint Cecilia as, according to legend, she was discovered when she was uncovered her relics.

The church is also decorated with ancient mosaics of the 9th century, frescoes by Pietro Cavallini, a Gothic canopy of the 13th century. And in the crypt of the basilica (underground part) you can see a piece of antiquity - the remains of ancient buildings have been preserved there. In addition, under the altar is a sargophagus with the relics of St. Cecilia.

Address: Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 22
Opening hours: 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00.

A visit to the basilica is free, the entrance to the underground crypt is € 2.50.You can see the medieval frescoes by Pietro Cavallini from 10.00 to 12.30 (€ 2.50).

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Masterpieces of painting and sculpture in the churches of Rome

Church of Santa Maria della Victoria

The Church of Santa Maria della Victoria, built in the 17th century, houses the famous masterpieces of Baroque art. One of them is a sculptural composition by Bernini " Ecstasy of Saint Teresa". Looking at this amazing sculpture, one involuntarily recalls the words of Bernini himself: “I defeated marble and made it flexible like wax, and in this way I was able to combine sculpture with painting to a certain extent.” It sounds bold, but… look at the work of this sculptor and decide for yourself how true this statement is.

Also in the interior of the church is remarkable cornaro chapel- its design is distinguished by deliberate theatricality, characteristic of the Baroque style.

Address: Via XX Settembre, 17
Opening hours: 8.30-12.00 and 15.30-18.00

Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (Santa Maria del Popolo)

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, in its current form, is an example of the Roman Renaissance and modestly houses many cultural treasures. Among them - paintings by Caravaggio with scenes from the life of the holy apostles: "The Conversion of the Apostle Paul" and "The Crucifixion of St. Peter." They are in the Cherazi Chapel.

Also in the church you can see the sculptures of the Baroque master Bernini, painting according to sketches Raphael, frescoes Pinturicchio, work Sebastiano del Piombo and other famous artists.

Address: Piazza del Popolo, 12
Opening hours: all days except Friday and Saturday 7.30 - 12.30, 16.00 - 19.00, Fri. and Sat. 7.30 – 19.00 (without lunch).

We visit the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in an audio tour " ". Exploring the city with an audio guide, you will not miss the most interesting places and learn the most interesting stories about it.

Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi)

In the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, built in the 16th century, you can see famous paintings of mature Caravaggio. As many as three outstanding work of this master, lights and shadows are in the Contarelli Chapel, in the left nave: "The Calling of the Apostle Matthew", "St. Matthew and the Angel", "The Martyrdom of St. Matthew". In addition, it is worth paying attention to the frescoes. Domenichino.

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi is included in the route of the audio tour " » with travel guide for iPhone Travelry. In it we will talk about the amazing canvases of the painter, and about the history and features of the church, and about many others. interesting places center of Rome.

The address: Piazza di San Luigi dei Francesi, 5
Opening hours: 10.00-12.30, after a break 15.00-19.00, closed on Thursdays after lunch.

Church San Pietro in Vincoli(San Pietro in Vincoli)

The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, or "St. Peter in Chains", was built in the 5th century specifically to store an important shrine - the chains of the Apostle Peter. The iron chains with which Saint Peter was bound when he was kept in custody for preaching about Christ are kept in a special reliquary under the main altar.

And in the 16th century, a masterpiece by the famous master of the Renaissance appeared here. Michelangelo — Moses sculpture. For her sake, many art lovers flock to this church. The sculptor conceived a grandiose composition, however, he failed to fully realize it, since Michelangelo was "distracted" to work on St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican. The project was completed by the master's students, but even one mighty sculpture of Moses, created by his hands, is worthy of attention. In addition, the frescoes of the masters of the 17th and 18th centuries are interesting in the church.

The temple is located a little away from the well-known hiking trails, and therefore not all independent tourists manage to find it. But for this purpose, it was created to help travelers quickly find their way around the city and find places of interest to them, as well as learn a lot of interesting things about them (currently the application is only available for iPhone).

We tell more about the history and treasures of this church, as well as about the famous creation of Michelangelo in the audio tour "".

The address: Piazza S. Pietro in Vincoli, 4a
Opening hours: from April to September 8.00-12.30, 15.00-19.00; from October to March 8.00-12.30, 15.00-18.00.

Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva


Jean-Christophe BENOIST , Wikimedia Commons

The Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, built in the 13th century, is considered the only Gothic church in Rome. In the basilica you can see the frescoes by Filippo Lippi and the sculpture of Christ by Michelangelo (1521)

Address: Piazza della Minerva, 42
Opening hours: 07.10-19.00, Sun. 08.00-12.00 and 14:00-19.00

Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva we visit on a guided tour " » with Travelry audio guide.

Churches of Rome with interesting architecture

Pantheon (Pantheon), the Church of Santa Maria "At the Martyrs" (Santa Maria ad Martyres, Santa Maria della Rotonda)

The magnificent Pantheon is not only a unique architectural and engineering monument of antiquity, but also a Christian church. Once, back in 27 BC, a pagan sanctuary was built here. The temple acquired its famous architectural appearance after perestroika in the 2nd century. It was then that an amazing dome with a hole (“eye of the Pantheon”) and a round building appeared - the rotunda. Until now, this grandiose building is considered a miracle of engineering and a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

And in 609, the pagan "temple of all gods" turned into a church Mother of God"At the Martyrs" (Santa Maria ad Martyres). Probably, thanks to this, he survived to this day almost unchanged. Why "At the Martyrs"? The name is due to the fact that 28 carts with the relics of the holy martyrs were transported here from the Roman catacombs. And in later centuries, the Pantheon became a tomb famous people, among them - Raphael, the first king of United Italy Vittorio Emmanuele II and his son Umberto I. The second name of the church - Santa Maria della Rotonda - is associated with the round shape of the building.

Address: Piazza della Rotonda

Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 08.30-19.30, Sun. 09.00-18.00.

Tourist visits are not allowed during church services (on Sundays and holidays at 10.30, on Saturdays at 17.00)

About the amazing history and unique features ancient pantheon- listen to the audio tour « «.

Church of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza

The Church of St. Ivo is one of the brightest examples of Baroque art and the unusual, even extravagant, architectural style of Borromini. Dynamic architecture with bizarre curves creates the impression of movement, a swift impulse, in which the building seems to freeze for a moment. The amazing graceful dome also attracts attention.

The church is located on Corso del Rinassimento, but is almost invisible from the street. In order to see it, you need to go into the courtyard.

The address: Corso del Rinascimento, 40 (entrancewithstreetsCorso del Rinasimento)

You can visit the church only on Sundays from 9.00 to 12.00. From July to August it is closed even on Sunday.

The Church of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza is included in the route of our audio tour " ”, which is available in the Travelry mobile guide.

Church of the Gesù


The Jesuit Church, called del Gesù, is a brilliant example of Mannerism and opulent Roman Baroque. The elegant church with luxurious decoration was built in the 16th century by the architects Vignola and della Porta. Curiously, the design proposed for this building by Michelangelo was rejected by the cardinal. The architecture of Il Gesu has become canonical for Jesuit temples around the world. Churches of the so-called "Society of Jesus" are built on its model in Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, and Latin America. The founder of the Jesuit order, Ignatius Loyola, is buried in the temple.

Address: Piazza del Gesu

Opening hours: 7.00-12.30 / 16.00-19.45

Church of San Carlo "At the Four Fountains" (San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane)

The amazing Church of San Carlo, or San Carlino, is located near the intersection of the Four Fountains. Not every tourist gets to this place, and loses a lot! After all, this is one of the main masterpieces of the architect Borromini. The dynamic forms of the facade, the amazing play of light and shadow, undulating curves and other architectural features make this building an outstanding example of the Baroque style. Moreover, in the performance of the talented and unfortunate architect Francesco Borromini, this style is completely unique and original. No wonder many foreign architects, stunned by the work of Borromini, tried to get sketches and copies of the building plan.

The address: Piazza Navona - Via S.Maria dell'Anima, 30/A - 00186 ROMA

Opening hours: weekdays 9.30-12.30, after a break 15.30-19.00, weekends and holidays 9.00-13.00, after a break 16.00-20.00, closed on Sunday.

Twin churches of Santa Maria di Montesano and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Santa Maria di Montesano e Santa Maria dei Miracoli)

On the south side of the square, opposite the arch of Porta del Popolo, two twin temples stand out: Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, built by architect C. Rainaldi in the 17th century. The buildings are mirrored and are an important part of the overall architectural ensemble of the square. They are incredibly similar, however, if you look at them very carefully (and especially if you see them in plan), you will notice that Santa Maria dei Miracoli is round, and Santa Maria in Montesanto is oval. This is due to the fact that the architect had to somehow fit the building into the complex of already existing buildings.

Address: Piazza del Popolo

We will see the twin churches at the very beginning of the audio tour " ».

Roman relics venerated by the Orthodox

Today Rome is known as the capital of the Catholic world. But this city is much older than the Catholic Church itself, and its significance for everything Christendom much more and more important than it might seem. Indeed, long before the division of the churches into Catholic and Orthodox (and this tragic event took place in 1054), Rome was the ancient cradle of all Christianity. It was in Rome that the holy apostles Peter and Paul preached, it was in it that they suffered and were martyred. In times of persecution, Rome revealed to the world countless Christian martyrs. And later, after the legalization of Christianity under Emperor Constantine the Great, it was here that magnificent Christian churches and basilicas began to grow, which became models for later buildings. It is not surprising that today in Rome a great number of common Christian relics are kept, which are revered by both Catholics and Orthodox.

Holy things from Jerusalem

Many shrines came to Rome thanks to the active work of the holy Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Already at a very advanced age, Elena undertook a long and difficult journey to the Holy Land, to Jerusalem, in order to find the shrines associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ. In those days, this was an incredibly difficult task, because Jerusalem was completely destroyed in the 1st century. Nevertheless, Elena was able to find and brought to Rome many important relics.

Among them - shrines associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a part of the Cross on which the Savior was crucified, a thorn from the crown of thorns, a nail that was used during the execution, a plate with the inscription of guilt, which was attached to the Cross. The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Santa Croce in Gerusalemme) was built especially for the storage of these relics brought by Empress Helena. In addition, the finger of the holy Apostle Thomas, the cross of the “prudent robber”, as well as a full-size copy of the Shroud of Turin are kept in the cathedral.

There was also a staircase from Jerusalem to Rome, which was once in the palace of Pontius Pilate. Jesus Christ, condemned by Pilate to execution, ascended and descended several times along it. Holy Stairs (ScalaSanta) That's what they call her in Rome. It is allowed to climb these steps only on your knees. The relic is stored in a special building next to the Lateran Basilica of San Giovanni, which we mentioned above. There was also the chapel "Holy of Holies" (Sancta Sanctorum), which got its name because of the many relics that were in it.

The relics of Queen Helena rest in Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on Capitol Hill. We visit it with By the way, this basilica is also interesting in itself - the severe appearance will take you to the Middle Ages, and the interior decoration will amaze you with wealth and beauty.

The church of Santa Prassede also houses the so-called " Flagellation Column”- part of the pillar to which Christ was tied during the scourging.

And in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, high under the ceiling, you can see the tabletop on which the legendary "Last Supper" was celebrated.

We will see most of the shrines brought to Rome from Jerusalem on the excursion "" with the Travelry audio guide. In this audio tour, we will visit the unique ancient churches of Rome and learn a lot of interesting things about them.

Rome - the city of the apostles

The capital of the great ancient empire at one time was the center of European civilization, and therefore Christian preachers. Many of them met their death in Rome and are still buried in the Eternal City. saint's tomb Apostle Peter(whom Catholics consider the first Pope) is located in St. Peter's Cathedral in. And above the grave apostle paul a large basilica of St. Paul "Outside the city walls" was built, which we also spoke about above.

Heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul kept separately, in a special reliquary in the church of St. John (San Giovanni) in Laterano. We talk a lot and interestingly about this church on an excursion with an audio guide "".

Roman martyrs and early Christian saints


Ancient fresco in the Basilica of San Clemente (life of St. Alexis, Man of God)

Christian pilgrims in Rome are also attracted by churches in which the relics of early Christian martyrs and saints rest. There are a great many of them in the Eternal City. In particular, in Rome rest:

Great Martyr George the Victorious(Church of St. George in Velarbo - San Giorgio in Velarbo)

St. Alexis the Man of God and St. Boniface(Church of St. Boniface and Alexy on the Aventine Hill - SS. Bonifacio e Alessio)

St. Cosmas and Damian(under the main altar of the Church of Cosmas and Damian on Fori Imperiali - Chiesa di Santi Cosma e Damiano). This church is included in the route of the audio tour "".

Saint Cyril, one of the creators of the Slavic alphabet and educator of the Slavs (the Basilica of San Clemente - Basilica di San Clemente, which we visit on the excursion "")

Hieromartyr Clement(Basilica of San Clemente -)

St. Eustathius Plakida(Church of Sant'Eustakio near the Pantheon - Chiesa di S. Eustachio in Campo Marzio). We talk about this church, as well as about St. Eustathius, in the audio tour ““.

Holy Martyrs Archdeacons Stephen and Lawrence(Church of St. Lawrence "Behind the Walls" - Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuori le mura)

St. Cyprian and Justina(Lateran Baptistery - Battistero Lateranese, which is included in the audio tour "")

Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Darius, patrons of matrimony (Church of the Twelve Apostles - Basilica dei SS. XII Apostoli, included in the free audio tour "")

St. Eugenia and her mother Claudia(- Basilica dei SS. XII Apostoli)

Holy Martyr Agnia(The head of the saint is kept in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona, and the body is kept in the church of St. Agnes "Behind the Walls", Chiesa di S. Agnese fuori le mura). About the church of St. Agnes on Piazza Navona and about the life of the saint herself, we talk on the excursion "" with an audio guide.

Saint Cecilia of Rome, patroness of music (Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - Santa Cecilia in Trastevere)

Saint Anastasia of Sirmia(Church of Santa Anastasia al Palatino)

Saint Chrysogon(Church of St. Chrysogon in Trastevere - Basilica di San Crisogono)

St. Praxedus, Pudentianus and many martyrs(Church of St. Praxeda - Santa Prassede, which we visit on an excursion with an audio guide "")

St. Anna(in a reliquary located in the courtyard - Chiostro - St. Paul's Cathedral "Behind the Walls", San Paolo fuori le mura).

Miraculous icons in Rome

Despite the fact that the icon-painting tradition was developed mainly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, several amazing ancient icons can be seen in the Eternal City. Some of them, according to legend, were written by the holy evangelist Luke.

One of the most famous and revered icons in Rome is the icon of the Mother of God, which is called "The Salvation of the Roman People" here. According to legend, the image was painted by the holy evangelist Luke. It is stored in Basilica of Santa Maria MaggioreSantaMariaMaggiore).


Miraculous image "Salvation of the Roman people"

About the amazing history of this icon and the miracles associated with it, as well as other relics and treasures of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, we tell in the excursion "" with an audio guide in Rome.

And on the beautiful Aventine Hill, in Churches of Saints Boniface and Alexy (Santi Bonifacio e Alessio), ancient miraculous icon Mother of God "Edessa", which came to Rome presumably in the X century. The Romans call her Madonna di San Alessio.


Icon of the Mother of God "Edessa" (Madonna di San Alessio)

At the top of Capitol Hill Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, above the main altar is a revered Byzantine icon of the Virgin, dating from the 10th century. You can learn about the history and features of this place in the audio tour "".


The miraculous image of the Mother of God in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Madonna Aracoeli)

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God, dating from the 10th century, is quietly kept in Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata (SantaMariainvialata) on Corso street. We visit it in the free audio tour "".

Russian Orthodox churches in Rome

Orthodox tourists and pilgrims are often interested in questions: are there Russian Orthodox churches in Rome, and how to find them. Yes, and even two! One of them - Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker- is located in the old building of the mansion of Princess M. A. Chernysheva (Palazzo Czernycheff), who in 1897 bequeathed her house to the Russian Church on Via Palestro. Since the church is located in a residential mansion, it is easy to miss it: there is neither a dome nor external signs characteristic of temples, only a modest sign at the entrance. But once inside, Russian visitors, no matter where they come from, feel "at home".

Another Russian church in Rome is still quite young, but you definitely won’t confuse it with any other: the characteristic “onion” domes and the general appearance of the building clearly indicate that in front of you is a Russian Orthodox church. This is Church of Saint Catherine located near the Vatican.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Rome

Address: via Palestro, 69/71
www.romasannicola.it

Russian Church of St. Catherine

Address: Via del Lago Terrione, 77/79
www.stcaterina.com

Where and how to find all these places in Rome if you are traveling on your own?

If you are traveling with an iPhone, we recommend downloading . It will help you not get lost and easily find the churches we mentioned, as well as other attractions in Rome. In addition, in the guide you will find information about the opening hours of many places, their photos and other useful information. And our Masterpieces and relics "and find out:



By Manfred Heyde , via Wikimedia Commons

Where did the Byzantine mosaics come from in Rome?

Some of the ancient churches of Rome are decorated with incredibly beautiful mosaics created by Byzantine masters. How did these masters suddenly end up in Rome? It was during the time of iconoclastic persecution in Byzantium, when the creators and admirers of any iconographic images were severely persecuted. But Pope Paschal I accepted and sheltered in Rome Byzantine masters who fled from the Eastern Empire. Gathering them under his wing, he began to decorate Byzantine mosaics Roman churches.



By Livioandronico2013 , via Wikimedia Commons

Why are some churches in Rome called basilicas? What is a basilica and why is it special?

The first basilicas appeared in ancient Rome. This was the name of the structures (in the ancient period they were administrative buildings), arranged inside in the form of a rectangular space, divided by columns into an odd number of parts. The ancient Romans, in turn, borrowed this way of organizing space from the Greeks. And later, architects began to use such a device in the construction of Christian churches. The rectangular spaces of the church, separated by rows of columns, are called naves. In Christian basilicas, the main nave is crossed perpendicularly by the so-called transept (transverse nave). Thus, a cruciform arrangement of space is formed.

Initially, the concept of "basilica" meant precisely the architectural device. But over time, this name has also turned into a special title that is given to important churches in the Catholic Church. Only the Pope can confer such an honorary title on a church.

  • Keep in mind the operating hours of the basilicas. Only the largest of them work without lunch. And most close for a day break, which lasts 2-4 hours. In ours you will find information about the opening hours of most Roman churches and other tourist sites.
  • When visiting the cathedrals and churches of Rome, you should be aware of the dress code. In very short skirts, shorts or with bare shoulders, you may simply not be allowed in.
  • In some churches, you can turn on special lighting for an additional fee in order to better view the ancient mosaics. For example, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore or in the church of Santa Prassede.
  • In Roman churches, it is not customary to venerate relics or icons - there is simply no such tradition in Catholicism. As a rule, shrines are kept either very high or hidden under the altar, and therefore it is impossible to get close to them. But no one prevents believers from praying, being next to the shrine.
  • Many Roman churches are "equipped" with real "time machines"! Temples with a rich history often have underground crypts where you can see the remains of older buildings, old frescoes or mosaics. Going down to the underground level, you can "look" into the first centuries of our era. Entrance to the crypt is usually paid. We also talk about some of these temples.
  • Another curious "secret" of ancient Roman basilicas: some of them have a special patio called Chiostro (Chiostro). Entrance to it is usually paid. Once there, you will find yourself in a small atrium - a cozy open courtyard, which is usually decorated with flowers, greenery, often a fountain, and surrounded by an elegant colonnade. There are such courtyards, in particular, in the basilicas of San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo "Behind the Walls". Few tourists know about the courtyard, but meanwhile, it is often one of the most picturesque parts of the basilica.