When it comes to grand displays of art and history, no city does it quite like Rome. While you may be thinking of attractions like the Colosseum or the Roman Forum, there are other special parts of Rome that draw in millions each year – its Catholic churches. We’re going to look at the most impressive churches to visit in Rome that are a must-see for first-timers and frequent travelers alike.
The city’s religious history is a long and complicated one that has ultimately led it to become the heart and capital of the Catholic Church. There are upwards of 900 churches sprawled throughout, from small hidden chapels off the beaten track to grand cathedrals renowned worldwide.
This guide will explore the most intriguing churches in Rome, from those in Trastevere to Laterno and everywhere in between, looking at the awe-inspiring art and architectural brilliance that make them so worthwhile.
READ: These churches are the perfect addition to a three-day itinerary in Rome.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Most associate the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City with the Pope. As one of the four papal basilicas in the heart of Piazza San Pietro, it definitely rivals the Pope’s church (but more on that one later). It’s certainly the largest church in Rome and also in Europe by area and volume, so it can take an entire day to see everything it offers.
It took over a hundred years to construct, from 1506 to 1615, and stands as one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture to date. The front facade of St. Peter’s Basilica is the first to capture your attention, with grand columns and detailed carvings along the top edge. As beautiful as that is, the characteristic feature has to be the dome in the center, which is a staggering 436 feet tall.
Once you enter, you’ll find incredibly tall ceilings adorned with gold-detailed paintings, white marble archways, and intricate sculptures. There are around 80 different areas to see from there, including chapels, alters, statue displays, frescoes – you name it.
As mentioned, the main attraction in the basilica is the dome, initially built by Michelangelo Buonarroti and covered in gold and bronze details and mosaics. You can also explore the Vatican Grottoes or Treasury Museum, which contain a collection of beautiful artwork and liturgical objects that date back centuries. Other sites to see are the Pietà sculpture, the Tombs of St. Peter, and the High Altar of the Confessio, and that’s just the start.
If it seems too daunting to get through everything on your own, your best option is a guided tour. That way, you can see all of the main highlights and learn the history of each section.
DISCOVER: How to make the best of your visit in Best Vatican tours: Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica.
Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Next, we have the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. While it may not be the biggest, it is one of the first Roman cathedrals dedicated to the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 3rd century in its first iteration. That said, the current church’s form was achieved in a significant restoration in the 12th century, started by Pope Innocent II, with the introduction of the bell tower and most interior decorations.
While the outside is impressive, it doesn’t compare to the interior. Crossing through the main entrance, you’ll find yourself staring down a long line of pews lined with granite columns. The ceilings are lined with paintings and sharp geometric designs that contrast with the marble floor. All of this is illuminated by the light shining through the stained glass windows
Santa Maria in Trastevere is mainly known for the eye-catching Byzantine mosaics depicting scenes from the 12th century and onward. The mosaics at the main altar are honestly breathtaking. You’ll see a range of them, one of which is the apse mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, depicting the life of the Lady Mary.
Apart from these mosaics, there is a plethora of beautiful art, sculptures, and paintings, like that of the Madonna della Clemenza, dispersed across the three naves inside the church. And the best part? Entrance is free.
FIND: The perfect place to stay in the Best Hotels in Trastevere Rome.
Basilica of San Clemente
The Basilica of San Clemente is a rather inconspicuous church compared to others on this list, but it remains one of the most beautiful churches in Rome. While the outside of San Clemente seems unassuming, the walls hold some 2,000 years’ worth of history separated into three sections.
Starting with what everyone sees on the main floor, you have the 12th-century Basilica Superiore, the church’s main altar area. It contains plenty of artwork, such as a mosaic-covered apse showing Jesus on the cross, transforming into a gorgeous living tree, and various 14th-century Tabernacolo frescoes.
The second section of San Clemente is the lower 4th-century church. This was the original church built on the site, which, over time, got buried and covered up. Many furnishings, altars, and marble relics were brought to the upper floor before it was abandoned, but plenty of things were left behind. It includes a beautiful fresco dating to the 8th century called the Anastasis and Ascension and the tomb of the apostle St. Cyril.
Finally, there are the ancient 1st-century buildings, including a Roman domus (a residential home) and a Mithraic Roman temple built by worshippers of the god Mithras. You can see the remnants of an altar, dining room, and stuccoed ceilings, each giving a unique glimpse into the past.
Entrance to the upper levels is free, but you need to pay an extra fee if you want to get the most out of your visit and see the lower-level excavations. Try a private tour of San Clemente to explore the underground areas more thoroughly.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The next contender on the list is another one of the four major churches, alongside St. Peter’s Basilica, and is set in its namesake, Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore. It was originally founded in 432 AD and commissioned by Pope Sixtus III.
The church’s origin is shrouded behind a fascinating legend, where Pope Liberius dreamed of the Virgin Mary telling him to build the church at the site of a miracle. He later found the top of Esquiline Hill covered in snow on a summer day. To this day, celebrations are held every year on August 5th, with white petals scattered from the top of the basilica to commemorate the miraculous summer snowfall.
Origin stories aside, the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is one of the city’s most identifiable structures. The exterior boasts a grand staircase leading up to the entrance, a 246-foot bell tower, and two octagonal domes on either side.
Inside, you can visit the Liberian Historical Museum, which holds the Treasury of the Basilica, or the archaeological area. You also have the Baptistry, adorned floor-to-ceiling in marble carvings, sculptures, and gold detailing. The Nativity Scene sculpture by Arnolfo di Cambio is another must-see, along with the Holy Crib. It’s even believed that the remnants in the crib are from the very manger from Bethlehem where Baby Jesus was laid.
You can enter Santa Maria Maggiore for free, but the museum and underground areas charge extra. Trying a guided tour is a superb way to see the highlights while learning from an expert.
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
When strolling to Piazza della Minerva, you’ll come across the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva. You might not be able to tell from the simple exterior, but this is one of the must-see churches in Rome. It was built where three temples once stood, one of which was a Pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
The 7th-century church now boasts Gothic architecture, which is unusual considering Rome’s churches are typically built in a Romanesque, Baroque style. In fact, it’s the only church in the city built in the Gothic fashion. That said, like most places, some areas were completed in different eras, so there are a variety of architectural influences.
Heading inside the walls of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, are a rich array of displays, artworks, and memorials. Some of the most popular include Michelangelo’s statue of Christ the Redeemer, finished in 1521, and the Antoniazzo Romano Chapel, designed by the Italian-Swiss architect Carlo Maderno.
Under the high altar is the burial place and Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. It is encapsulated with a highly detailed golden frame and surrounded by fresh flowers, marble sculptures, and six candles with the holy cross above it. The church also holds the funerary monument for family members of the celebrated sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Entering the church is completely free, and it’s relatively straightforward to admire the interior on your own. Oh, and once you leave, don’t forget to take a look at Bernini’s charming Elephant Obelisk statue outside.
The Pantheon
Anyone who knows anything about Rome has seen or at least heard of the Pantheon in Rome. Also referred to as the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres, this structure comes with two millennia worth of history and has become a physical representation of the Eternal City.
It was built between 27 and 25 BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and dedicated to the living Sovran and the twelve Roman gods. Emperor Hadrian ordered its reconstruction between 118 and 125 AD, which has since remained perfectly intact, making it one of the most well-preserved temples in Rome.
Looking from the outside, the structure is rather unique. At the front and center, you’ll notice a traditional portico silhouette emerging from a large cylindrical building. Then, at the very top is the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
The splendor of the dome is twice as extraordinary once you’re inside and view the Pantheon Oculus. This 25-foot opening at the very top of the dome illuminates everything inside, letting you marvel at every detail, from the bronze details along granite columns to the marbled floors. Other highlights include the artwork along the walls, the mosaic above the central altar, and Raphael’s remains at the foot of the Madonna statue.
Unlike others on the list, you can’t enter here for free (except for the first Sunday of every month). You can easily buy a skip-the-line entry ticket to the Pantheon with an audio guide, but for the best experience, we prefer a guided tour like this.
TIP: It’s worth brushing up on some interesting facts and history on the Pantheon before your visit.
Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano
Last but not least, we have the third addition to Rome’s major basilicas, the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Some also call it the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran or the mother church. This church, built and consecrated in the 4th century, was acquired by Emperor Constantine I and then given to the Pope. It’s one of the oldest and most important churches in Rome and currently serves as the official cathedral of the Pope – not St. Peter’s, as many expect.
The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is actually part of a much larger complex of structures, which you can spend all day exploring, if not longer.
Starting outside are the Medieval cloisters that measure 119 feet tall and surround a beautiful Roman courtyard. Pietro Vassalletto designed the archways and twisting columns of the cloisters and have special monuments hidden among them, like the Mensura Christi.
Then, there is the Holy Door, the magnificent carving of the Cenotaph of Sylvester II, the 4th-century Baptistry, and countless frescoes by famous artists like Giotto scattered throughout the complex. However, one of the most gorgeous sections of the basilica has to be the Papal Altar and Baldacchino. This altar is the picture of opulence and elaborate Gothic design, surrounded by golden detailing and an ultramarine blue backdrop.
Sufficed to say, there is so much to see, so once again, tours are your best friend. To make the most of a trip to San Giovanni in Laterano, try out a guided tour of the basilica or a full Lateran complex tour. You won’t be disappointed.
Wrapping Up the Best Churches in Rome
Now that you’ve seen these jaw-dropping cathedrals and basilicas, which one will you decide to visit first?
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the grandeur and brilliance of churches in Rome. Each location is a treasure trove of wonder crafted by incredible Renaissance artists and architects. Whether it’s world-famous spots like Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Peter’s Basilica or lesser-known ones like Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, you can’t go wrong.
With that, why not add a few (or all) of these churches to your itinerary and start planning your trip to Italy and the Eternal City? Your next adventure awaits.
If you aren’t ready for your journey to end, here are some more guides to help you get the most out of Rome:
Our team of writers and creatives at Untold Italy are experts in keeping you informed and inspired about travel in Italy. Our team collaboration involves writers, photographers and editorial staff dedicated to sharing accurate Italy travel information.
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