Your private driver will meet you directly in the lobby of your hotel. If you are staying in a private apartment or Airbnb, your driver will be waiting at the main street entrance of the building.

Punctuality: We recommend being ready in the lobby 5–10 minutes before your scheduled departure. We monitor local traffic to ensure we are always on time.

The Oldest Sanctuary Dedicated to the Virgin Mary

The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is one of Rome’s most extraordinary treasures. As one of the four Papal Basilicas, it is unique for being the only one to have preserved its original 5th-century Paleochristian structure. Standing proudly atop the Esquiline Hill, it represents a breathtaking blend of architectural styles, from its ancient foundations to its medieval mosaics and grand Baroque facade.

The Legend: The Miracle of the Snow

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius on the night of August 5th, 352 AD, instructing him to build a church where he found snow. The next morning, despite the summer heat, a miracle occurred: the Esquiline Hill was covered in white. Today, this is celebrated every August 5th with a spectacular shower of white flower petals falling from the basilica’s dome during Mass.

The Highest Ranking Church in Christendom

While many think of St. Peter’s as the primary church of Rome, St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) holds the title of Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput—the "Mother and Head of all Churches in the City and the World." As the official Cathedral of Rome and the seat of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), it is the oldest of the four Papal Basilicas and the first to be granted public consecration by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

The Most Revered Pilgrimage Site in Rome

Directly across from the Basilica of St. John Lateran lies the Scala Sancta (The Holy Stairs). For nearly 1,700 years, this sanctuary has been one of the most sacred destinations for Christians worldwide. According to ancient tradition, these are the 28 white marble steps that once led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem—the very stairs that Jesus Christ ascended multiple times during His Passion.

History and Tradition

Brought to Rome in 326 AD by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, the stairs were placed in the ancient Lateran Palace. In the late 16th century, Pope Sixtus V commissioned the current sanctuary to house them. To protect the original marble from centuries of wear, the steps were covered with walnut wood, though small "windows" in the wood allow pilgrims to see and touch the original stone—including spots where tradition says drops of Christ's blood fell.

Journey into the Secret History of Rome

Descend beneath the ancient Appian Way to discover the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. Spanning over 15 hectares and reaching depths of 20 meters, this vast labyrinth of tunnels served as the official cemetery for the Church of Rome in the 3rd century. It is a place of profound silence, where the faith of the early Christians is carved into the very stone.

Highlights of the Underground Tour

• The Crypt of the Popes: Often called "The Little Vatican," this is the most sacred part of the catacombs. It served as the final resting place for nine Popes and eight high-ranking dignitaries of the 3rd-century Church.

• The Crypt of Saint Cecilia: Discover the original burial site of the patron saint of music. Though her remains were later moved to Trastevere, the crypt still houses a beautiful copy of Maderno’s famous statue, marking where her incorrupt body was discovered in 1599.

• The Cubicula of the Sacraments: Marvel at ancient frescoes dating back to the early 3rd century. these rare paintings depict the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist through symbolic imagery, offering a glimpse into the liturgical life of the first Christians.

• Symbolic Art: Throughout the tunnels, look for the early symbols of faith used during times of persecution: the Fish (Ichthys), the Anchor, and the Good Shepherd.

A Monument to the Apostle of the Gentiles

The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls stands as a magnificent tribute to one of the most influential figures in Christian history. Built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the very spot where Saint Paul was buried after his martyrdom, it is one of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas. Although a fire in 1823 destroyed much of the original structure, it was meticulously rebuilt to its former glory, combining ancient spirit with 19th-century grandeur.

Spiritual and Architectural Wonders

• The Tomb of St. Paul: Located directly beneath the high altar, you can view the tomb of the Apostle through a glass opening. Above it stands a stunning 13th-century Gothic canopy (ciborium) by Arnolfo di Cambio, which miraculously survived the great fire.

• The Portrait Gallery of the Popes: High above the arches of the nave, a series of mosaic medallions depicts every Pope in history, from St. Peter to the current Holy Father. Legend says that when there is no space left for a new portrait, the world will end!

• The Golden Facade: Before entering, marvel at the exterior mosaics that shimmer in the sunlight, depicting Christ and the Apostles, set against a vast palm-filled courtyard.

• The Cloister: Often cited as the most beautiful cloister in Rome, this 13th-century masterpiece features twin columns encrusted with gold and colored marble mosaics in the "Cosmatesque" style.

• The Chains of St. Paul: Within the basilica, you can venerate the iron chains believed to have bound St. Paul during his final imprisonment in Rome.

Where Legend Meets the Appian Way

Located at the fork where the Via Appia and the Via Ardeatina diverge, this small 9th-century church commemorates a pivotal moment for the early Church. According to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, the Apostle Peter was fleeing Rome to escape the persecutions of Emperor Nero. As he walked along the Appian Way, he had a miraculous vision of Jesus walking toward the city.

The Sacred Encounter

Astonished, Peter asked Christ in Latin: "Domine, quo vadis?" (Lord, where are you going?). Jesus replied: "Venio Romam iterum crucifigi" (I am coming to Rome to be crucified again).

Realizing that Jesus was calling him to face his destiny with courage, Peter immediately turned back to Rome, where he would eventually be martyred and buried on the Vatican Hill.

Highlights of the Church

• The Sacred Footprints: In the center of the church, you will find a marble slab containing two footprints. Tradition holds that these are the miraculous imprints left by Jesus when He stood on the road to meet Peter. (Note: The slab in the church is a copy; the original is preserved in the nearby Basilica of San Sebastiano).

• The Fresco of Peter: Admire the artwork depicting Peter’s realization and his return to the city—a powerful symbol of faith and leadership.

• The Intimate Atmosphere: Unlike the grand Papal Basilicas, this "roadside" church offers a quiet, humble space for reflection on the struggles of the early Christian community.

A Place of Apostolic Memory

Founded in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, this basilica was originally known as the Basilica Apostolorum. According to tradition, the remains of Saints Peter and Paul were temporarily hidden here during the 3rd-century persecutions to keep them safe. Today, it is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the famous martyr pierced by arrows, whose tomb remains a major destination for pilgrims worldwide.

Treasures You Shouldn’t Miss

• The Original Footprints of Jesus: The basilica houses the original marble slab containing the footprints of Christ. These are linked to the "Domine Quo Vadis" encounter. While the nearby small church of the same name holds a copy, the original venerated for centuries is kept here.

• Relics of the Martyrdom: In the Chapel of Relics, you can see one of the arrows that struck Saint Sebastian and a fragment of the column to which he was bound during his torture.

• The Sculpture of St. Sebastian: Marvel at the stunning recumbent statue of the saint, a masterpiece by Giuseppe Giorgetti (a student of Bernini), which captures the martyr in a moment of profound spiritual grace.

• The Birthplace of the "Catacomb": Beneath the floor lies a labyrinth of Christian tunnels and pagan mausoleums. This specific site is where the term "catacomb" was first coined (from the Greek katà kymbas, meaning "near the hollow"), eventually becoming the name for all underground cemeteries.

A Piece of the Holy Land in Rome

Unlike other basilicas built over the tombs of martyrs, Santa Croce was built to house the sacred relics of the Passion of Christ. In the 4th century, Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, traveled to the Holy Land and returned with what were believed to be the instruments of Christ’s crucifixion. To house them, she converted part of her imperial palace (the Sessorian Palace) into a chapel, even spreading consecrated soil from Calvary beneath the floor so that the church would literally stand on the ground of Jerusalem.

The Chapel of the Holy Relics

The spiritual heart of the basilica is the modern, climate-controlled Chapel of the Relics, where you can stand inches away from:

• The True Cross: Three large fragments of the wood upon which Jesus was crucified.

• The Titulus Crucis: The "Title of the Cross"—the wooden inscription (INRI) that hung above Jesus’ head, written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

• The Sacred Nail: One of the nails used during the Crucifixion.

• Two Thorns: Relics from the Crown of Thorns placed upon Jesus' head.

• The Finger of St. Thomas: The bone of the finger that the "Doubting Apostle" reportedly placed into the wounds of the Risen Christ.

Hidden Wonders of the Basilica

• The Chapel of Saint Helena: Descend to the lower level to see the original floor of the imperial palace. The ceiling is covered in breathtaking 15th-century mosaics depicting the "Discovery of the True Cross."

• The Copy of the Shroud of Turin: The basilica houses an exact, full-scale replica of the Shroud, allowing for close-up study and reflection on the mysterious image.

• The Cistercian Monastery: The basilica is part of an ancient monastic complex; you can often see the beautiful vegetable gardens (Hortus Urbis) maintained by the monks, which follow the lines of an ancient Roman amphitheater.