Historic churches in Rome

Historic Churches & Temples

Rome’s spiritual landscape spans two millennia, from the Pantheon’s ancient concrete dome to the Baroque intensity of Borromini’s Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza. This collection highlights the city’s major papal basilicas, including the cathedral of Saint John Lateran and the Marian mosaics of Saint Mary Major. Visitors can explore the artistic evolution of the Renaissance at Santa Maria del Popolo, view Michelangelo’s Moses at Saint Peter in Chains, or descend into the layered history of the Basilica of St. Clement, where medieval structures sit atop ancient Roman ruins and early Christian temples.

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Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Historic Roman Catholic basilica known as the largest Marian church in the city, featuring Renaissance architecture and significant early Christian art. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of four papal basilicas in Rome.

Indrani Iragavarapu / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pantheon

Ancient Roman temple and minor basilica featuring the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. This 2nd-century structure is one of the best-preserved buildings from antiquity and serves as both a Catholic church and a state museum.

Fczarnowski / CC BY-SA 3.0

Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere

Historic Roman Catholic basilica known for its ancient origins, remarkable mosaics, and Romanesque architecture.

Cezar Suceveanu / CC BY-SA 4.0

St Ignatius Church

Historic Baroque Catholic church known for its stunning frescoes and elaborate interior decoration. It is a hidden gem featuring remarkable religious art and Jesuit heritage.

Jakub Hałun / CC BY-SA 4.0

Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo

Historic Renaissance and Baroque church known for its architecture, frescoes, and artworks by renowned artists.

Lalupa / Public domain

Temple of Hadrian

Ancient Roman temple featuring surviving Corinthian columns and archaeological remains incorporated into a historic building.

Jastrow / CC BY 2.5

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

The oldest and highest-ranking papal basilica, serving as the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome and the mother church of all churches in the Catholic Church.

user:dcastor / CC0

Saint Peter in Chains

Historic Renaissance basilica known for housing Michelangelo's statue of Moses and the chains of Saint Peter.

Nicholas Gemini / CC BY-SA 3.0

Basilica of Saint Mary above Minerva

Historic Gothic Catholic basilica noted for its architecture, religious significance, and important artworks.

CC BY-SA 2.5

Church of Our Lady of Victory

Historic 17th-century Baroque church renowned for its architecture and Gian Lorenzo Bernini's sculpture The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa.

Dnalor 01 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Catacombs of Saint Calixt

One of the largest and most important underground Christian cemeteries, housing around 500,000 burials including martyrs and 16 popes. It is a significant archaeological site featuring early Christian art and architecture.

Mstyslav Chernov / CC BY-SA 3.0

Church of Saint Yves at La Sapienza

Historic baroque church renowned for its distinctive architecture and religious significance, featuring a unique spiral lantern. Designed by Francesco Borromini, it exemplifies innovative Roman Baroque style.

Nicholas Gemini / CC BY-SA 4.0

Basilica of St.Clement

Historic Roman Catholic basilica featuring layered archaeological structures and notable mosaics dating back to the 1st century. It combines ancient Roman, early Christian, medieval, and renaissance elements within a religious and cultural heritage site.