Churches and Cathedrals
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Top 15 Churches and Cathedrals

Top 15 Churches and Cathedrals in Rome - 2023

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Explore Rome's top churches and cathedrals! Each boasts its own style, offering a glimpse into the region's unique architecture. Whether you're seeking a moment of reflection or embracing the spirit of pilgrimage, be sure not to miss these sites.
Updated Nov 2023
  • No.1
    4.6/5
    88 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 16548 reviews
    "It’s not very publicised but it’s one of the most beautiful churches in Rome and the entire world. Prepare yourself to walk with head up, as the ceilings are a work of art. There’s not a corner in here that doesn’t deserve do be admired.Truly worth it"
    Rome.Rome City Centre
    1.4km from downtown
    Highlights: Legend has it that in AD 356, the Pope saw the Virgin Mary in a dream, and she ordered "a church to be built where it snows tonight". Although it was August, it snowed here, so the Basilica of Our Lady of Maggiore, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady, was built in the place where it snowed. The architectural style of Notre Dame Church has been rebuilt many times since its completion, and the current Notre Dame Church combines the architectural styles of various periods. The 36 columns in the interior were moved from the temples of ancient Rome. The horizontal beams supported by columns are typical of the early Christian church building techniques. The mosaics of the altar in the main hall depicting 36 scenes from the Old Testament are relics from the early Christian era in the 5th century. ; The 13th-century gold mosaic "Coronation of the Virgin" shines on the dome, and there is also a 13th-century mosaic behind the corridor on the 2nd floor; the bell tower built in 1377 is 75 meters high and is the crown of Rome; the right side of Sisto 5's The chapel is of the late Renaissance, and the chapel in Paorina on the left is in the early 17th century Baroque; as a result, the façade of the church was built in the 18th century and has a typical Baroque style.
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  • No.2
    4.6/5
    90 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 8088 reviews
    "Also known as Papal church, this Basilica serves as the highest ranking among the four major Papal Basilicas, with 12 statues erected and 6 Pope's tomb enshrined."
    Rome.San Giovanni
    2.1km from downtown
    Highlights: Lateran Basilica, also known as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, is the oldest of the four basilicas in Rome. The halls and halls of the hall are particularly magnificent, resplendent, and rich in various carvings, which are worth watching. History of the Basilica The Basilica of St. John Lateran was once the villa of Roman celebrities, and it was donated by Constantine the Great of the Roman Empire. The church was built in AD 314 and had the Pope in tin until 1308 when a relentless fire completely destroyed it. The present Basilica of St. John was rebuilt in the 14th century, and in the 17th century, it was renovated on a large scale and was beautifully designed. There are statues of Jesus Christ and the Thirteen Apostles in the middle of the hall. On the left side of the entrance, there is a marble statue of Constantine the Great. The bronze door in the middle of the entrance originates from the Senate in Roman times. On the left side of the square in front of St. John's Basilica in Lateran, there is the Mangbai Church in the 16th century. This chapel houses the famous twenty-eight steps, which are the legendary steps that Christ climbed when he was tried. Stored in Jerusalem, it was brought from Jerusalem by the order of the mother during the reign of Constantine the Great and placed here. Coming here to watch the devout believers kneel down here and climb the stairs, one cannot help but marvel at the great power of faith.
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  • No.3
    4.5/5
    43 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2193 reviews
    "St. Paul's Cathedral includes a free tour of the church and a monastery, the monastery is to be charged separately, less than 20 yuan, or you can see, here are European style monastery design, there are many rooms."
    Rome.Ostiense
    3.8km from downtown
    Highlights: The 80 columns in St. Paul's Basilica outside the city are magnificent, and the ceiling is magnificent. Below the canopy of the main altar is the tomb of St. Paul. The mosaic above the altar is said to have been made by Venetian craftsmen. The Basilica of Our Lady of Angels and Martyrs was rebuilt using the cold baths of Diocletian's Baths. The entrance of the church is built on the ruins of the bath, which looks very simple, but the interior space is actually very impressive. The holy water bowl at the entrance adopts the shape of an angel, which fully reflects that this church is not simple.
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  • No.4
    4.2/5
    46 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 641 reviews
    "This is a small church, the interior is very simple, the furniture is also, because the mouth of truth is placed under the eaves behind, it has become a net red punch card, on the edge of the bull slaughter square, you can come in and rest for a while."
    Rome.Rome City Centre
    543m from downtown
    Highlights: The Church of Our Lady of Cosmedin is also known as the Church of Our Lady of Greece. In ancient Rome, it was surrounded by many Byzantine buildings. This area was also known as the Greek Street "ScholaGraeca". Architectural Style The building of the church itself was built in the 6th century and is decorated with Colint columns and Byzantine mosaics. In front of the church there are remnants of the oldest existing temple in Rome, the Temple of Fontena. Rebuilt around the 12th-13th century, it is well worth a visit. The Romanesque bell tower was added later, and it is the tallest medieval bell tower in Rome. The frescoes inside and the marble floors inlaid by the Cosmati brothers are worth seeing. There are many beautiful baroque churches in Rome, but this church is of an early style, spectacular and rare. There is no particularly gorgeous decoration in the current church, but this kind of simple church is also very tasteful. Main point of view: The Mouth of Truth: Because the Mouth of Truth is located inside the church, most tourists come here especially for it. It is a disc engraved with the head of the sea god. In fact, this is a manhole cover in ancient Rome. It is said that if you put your hand in his mouth, you can't pull it out if you lie. In "Roman Holiday", it was the one that terrified the lovely princess.
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  • No.5
    4.7/5
    67 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2814 reviews
    "a huge cathedral in the central part of Rome. well maintained too and accessible to people especially tourists. I found the monument of the beheaded John the Baptist inside."
    Rome.Rome City Centre
    1.7km from downtown
    Highlights: The Basilica of Our Lady of Angels and Martyrs is a Catholic secondary sanctuary and a priest-level cardinal church, built in the cold water bath of the former Diocletian baths. The entrance of the church is built on the ruins of the bath, which looks very simple, but the interior space is actually very impressive. The holy water bowl at the entrance adopts the shape of an angel, which fully reflects that this church is not simple. The main body of the church is a typical basilica structure, 90.8 meters long, 27 meters wide and 28 meters high, a huge cuboid space. In addition to the main altar in the middle, there are chapels on the two wings. During the period of the Kingdom of Italy (1870-1946), it became the official state church, including the later state funerals. A small door in the church leads to the Galileo Memorial Courtyard. On April 28, 2010, the Chinese Academy of Sciences donated a 6-meter-high bronze statue of Galileo designed by Li Zhengdao. At the entrance of the church are two gates designed by the Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj. The left one shows Jesus and some martyrs deeply embedded in the body by the cross, as if they were about to break free from the bronze. The one on the right shows the Annunciation, with Mary humbly facing the angel.
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FAQ

What are some Churches and Cathedrals in Rome?
Some Churches and Cathedrals in Rome include:Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore|Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran|Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls|Santa Maria in Cosmedin|Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs
What are some highly-rated Churches and Cathedrals in Rome?
Some highly-rated Churches and Cathedrals in Rome include:Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore:4.6|Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran:4.6|Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls:4.5|Santa Maria in Cosmedin:4.2|Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs:4.7
At what locations in Rome can Churches and Cathedrals in Rome be found?
The Churches and Cathedrals in Rome are mainly located in:Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore:Rome|Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran:Rome|Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls:Rome|Santa Maria in Cosmedin:Rome|Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs:Rome