Saint Paul Basilica - San Giovanni in Laterano - Holy Cross in Jerusalem - Santa Maria Maggiore
	At the beginnig of the IV century the Empire became christian. The first historical churches of Rome date to that time, built by Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen....

All the main Basilicas in Rome, because of their antiquity and importance for the whole Christian community, are depending directly from the Pope. They are extra-territorial properties of the Vatican. On this tour we will visit the most important ones, (after San Peter) following the steps of the old times pilgrims.

The Cathedral of St. John , first church built in Rome in 316 by emperor Constantine and seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome was originally dedicated to the Savior and only later to St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist, also known as Lateran Basilica.

St. Paul Basilica was also erected by the Christian emperor on the tomb of the apostle, which is visible under the main altar. This basilica contains mosaic portraits of all the popes. The church of The Holy Cross, was wanted by Constantine’s mother, St. Helen, to house the relics of the Lord she had found in Jerusalem.

About a century later, after the Council of Ephesus in 432, Pope Sixtus III erected the church dedicated to the Virgin that because of its imposing size and beauty and its important Christian tradition we know as St. Mary Major.

 Photo gallery

 Reservation

No reservations required for this tour

 Entrance Fee

No entrance fees are due for this tour

 Transportation

We might use some public transportations or move by cab between St. Mary M. and St. John's Cathedral (near the Holy Cross Church) and from there to St. Paul

 Walking difficulty

Quite easy. When inside the Basilicas we might seat during the informations to rest for a while

 Duration

Depending on the traffic and number of people around the tour will last between 3 to 4 hours