Famous Catholic Churches in Rome

Rome has more than 900 local churches with marvelous religious architecture. Moreover, churches have been built in the city for more than 1600 years with different décor, and many of them aren’t less beautiful and historic than museums.

You can find them almost on every corner of the Eternal City and enjoy frescoes, paintings, and the sculptures that you will never find in any other place in the world. However, remember that there is a dress code where you have to visit most of the churches with covered shoulders and knees, especially at the Vatican.

Here’s the list of the most beautiful churches of Rome:

St Peter’s Basilica

Of course, the list will start with the most famous church in the world. St Peter’s Basilica is a “must-see” site during any visit to Rome and every day there is an endless queue of volunteers who want to discover the church. It is located in the Vatican City, the smallest independent country in the world.

Moreover, the famous artist made the design Michelangelo and is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture. Additionally, St Peter’s is the home to the tombs of popes and the treasury of church ornaments.

Don’t forget to visit the highest point of Rome with spectacular views of the city on the top of the cupola

• Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano
• The Basilica is open every day from 7 am to 7 pm

The Basilica of Saint John in Lateran

The Basilica of Saint John in Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) defined as “the mother of all churches in the world.”

It represents the mixture between the Pagan and Christian eras. You should definitely visit the museum, which collects precious liturgical furnishings, sculptures, and ornaments from ancient basilicas. It was the first Christian Basilica built in the city and the Pope’s main place of worship. Moreover, it was repeatedly damaged and restored, so San Giovanni in Laterano was continuously enriched over centuries.

• The museum is open from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
• Address: P.za di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 4, Roma

Basilica di San Clemente

The Basilica di San Clemente is an early Christian basilica dedicated to Pope St. Clement (d.99 AD).

The church has three historical layers. It was built above a 4^th-century church, where you will find different frescoes. Moreover, this church was built next to a 2^nd-century Mithraic Temple and a 1^st-century Roman house. During your visit, you can explore the lower two levels with more than 1000-year-old frescoes and excavations.

• Address: Via Labicana, 95
• Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maria Maggiore is an ancient Catholic basilica, considered the largest of the churches devoted to the Virgin Mary in Rome.

There are many artifacts and pieces of art, while the church is full of religious history. Moreover, it has an 18^th-century façade in Baroque style, the 5^th-century mosaics on the triumphal arch and nave walls, which depict 36 scenes from the Old Testament. Also, it hasn’t been rebuilt over time, but it is an impressive example of an Early Christian basilica.

Annualny, on the 5^th of August, thousands of white petals fall from the ceiling during the Basilica’s Miracle of the Snows celebration, an event devoted to the legend of a miraculous summer snowfall.

• Address: Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
• The Basilica is free and open daily from 7 am to 6.45 pm
• The museum costs 4 euros and is open daily from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

Santa Maria sopra Minerva (Saint Mary above Minerva, Latin: Sancta Maria supra Minervam) is one of the major churches of the Roman Catholic Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

The Basilica has its name because it was built directly over the ruins of foundations of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis, which had been ascribed to the Greco-Roman goddess Minerva

• Address: Piazza della Minerva, 42
• Official Website: www.santamariasopraminerva.it

The Basilica is located right behind the Pantheon in the historical center of Rome.

• Read more about top 30 attractions to visit during your stay in the Eternal City.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo

Constructed in 1099, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo has several chapels and represents the epoch of Renaissance.

Moreover, the church is considered the place with the greatest masterpieces of Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael. Undoubtedly, the Basilica has a fascinating history. Initially, it was built in the 2^nd century to exorcise the ghost of hated Roman Emperor Nero, which, according to the belief, was haunting the area.

• Address: Piazza del Popolo, 12
• Works from Monday to Saturday from 7 am until 12 pm and from 4 pm until 7 pm

Santa Maria in Trastevere

Constructed in 350 AD, Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most ancient churches in Rome.

The church is famous because of the interior with Byzantine mosaics from the 12^th century. Moreover, there are many religious relics and a beautiful octagonal fountain outside the church.

• Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
• The church works daily from 7.30 am to 9 pm

Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli located at top of the Capitoline Hill, the church is famous for its remarkably plain brick exterior, ornate decoration, and other religious features.

It has a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architectures and three naves with 22 columns, which were taken from various ancient Roman buildings. Moreover, there is a stunning statue of the baby Jesus, made from olive tree wood in the garden of Gethsemane.

• Address: Scala dell’Arce Capitolina, 12
• May-September: 9 am – 6.30 pm: October-April: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm

Santo Stefano in Rotondo

Santo Stefano in Rotondo is located a 10-minutes walk from the Colosseum.

Moreover, it is one of the few round churches left in Rome. There are different frescoes on the walls with 34 saints who were martyred. The church dates to the late 5th century, but it was subsequently changed in the 12th and 15th centuries.

Describing frescoes in 1846, Charles Dickens wrote: ‘Such a panorama of horror and butchery no man could imagine in his sleep, even if he were to eat a whole pig, raw, for supper.’

• Address: Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 7
• The church works from 10 am-1 pm & 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm in winter, 10 am-1 pm & 3.30-6.30 pm in summer

Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is a 9^th century church dedicated to 14 years girl, the Christian martyr and patron of musicians.

There, you will find the ruins of an ancient Roman house with an underground sacristy where statues of angels look down from above. This church is marvelous and popular among tourists.

• Address: Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 22
• Open every day from 10 am -1 pm & 4 pm – 7 pm

 Santa Prassede

Santa Prassede is an early Christian basilica that went through a number of different building stages.

There, you will find mosaics and frescoes that glorify Biblical symbols, events, and saints. Moreover, there is the Chapel of St. Zeno, built by Pope Paschal I as the house for the tomb of his mother, Theodora.

• Address: Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a
• Works daily from 8 am to 12 pm and from 3 pm to 6.30 pm

Santa Maria degli Angeli e Martiri

Located in Piazza Republica, the church seems to be a Roman ruin from the exterior and is one of the parts that remained from the Baths of Diocletian.

Moreover, Santa Maria degli Angeli e Martiri is dedicated to all Christians who died during the construction of the Baths. Importantly, Michelangelo started to design this church, while it was finished by Jacopo Lo Duca, who was a student of Michelangelo. Nowadays, the church hosts prestigious weddings and funerals encouraged by the state.

• Address: Piazza della Repubblica
• Works daily from 7 am to 7.30 pm

Church of Trinità Dei Monti

Built between 1502 and 1519, the church of Trinità Dei Monti is one of the most popular tourist sites.

Moreover, it has a great location right near the Spanish Steps, but it is a French church. The Roman obelisk is in front of the church, which links Trinita dei Monti and the stairwell. Additionally, the obelisk dates back to the Imperial age from the Garden of Sallusto. Inside are some famous works of art, most notably the Deposition fresco by Daniele da Volterra and the fresco cycles by the Zuccari brothers.

• Address: Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, 3
• Works daily from 10 am to 12 pm & 4 pm to 6 pm

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

The Basilica of Holy Cross in Jerusalem, located in the Esquilino quarter, is an example of Roman architecture at its finest.

It was founded by the Emperor Constantine in 320, and there you will find works of Pannini. Moreover, the Basilica of the Holy Cross is part of the route of the “Seven Churches” that ancient pilgrims used to visit on foot.

• Address: Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme
• Works daily from 7 am to 12.45 pm & 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Churches in Rome are full of marvelous works of art. There, you’ll find masterpieces by some of the famous masters – Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, Sansovino, Filippo Lippi, and many more unnamed masters of mosaic art, fresco painting, and stonework from Medieval and earlier eras.

Rules and Things to Know Before Visiting Catholic Churches in Rome

Catholic Holidays in Italy

On Catholic holidays in Italy, churches are open for special masses that are primarily reserved for believers. Tourists may find access restricted during these times to preserve the sanctity of the celebrations. Additionally, these days are national holidays in Italy, meaning many services, such as restaurants, shops, and public transportation, operate on limited schedules or are closed entirely. Visitors should plan accordingly to accommodate these changes.

List of Catholic Holidays That Are Days Off in Italy:

• New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary) – January 1
• Epiphany – January 6
• Easter Monday (Pasquetta) – The date varies (the day after Easter Sunday)
• Liberation Day – April 25 (coincides with the feast of St. Mark)
• Labour Day – May 1 (coincides with the feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
• Assumption of Mary (Ferragosto) – August 15
• All Saints’ Day – November 1
• Immaculate Conception – December 8
• Christmas Day – December 25
• St. Stephen’s Day – December 26

These holidays reflect Italy’s deep-rooted Catholic traditions and often involve significant religious ceremonies and community celebrations.