Rome Private Church Exploration Tour

Explore the hidden treasures of Rome on this 2-hour private tour with your personal guide to see 3 of the most beautiful churches in the Eternal City: Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana.
Meet your guide at Santa Maria Maggiore, a papal basilica and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the well-preserved mosaics from the Roman era, the chapels of Pope Sixtus V and Pope Paul V, paintings by the great Raphael and Michelangelo, relics from the medieval era, and many more historic pieces. Next head to Santa Prassede where you can see more breathtaking mosaics and artworks including what is a segment of the pillar where Jesus was flogged.
To end, visit Santa Pudenziana, a 4th century church believed to be the oldest Christian temple in Rome. It's home to the oldest mosaic apse in the city and it represents Christ surrounded by his Apostles.
Learn about historical Christian art and architecture together with your knowledgeable, local guide on this unique tour!

Meeting Point

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma RM, Italy

Please meet your guide at the entrance of the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. They will be holding up a sign with your name on it.

What's included:

• Experienced guide

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42, Rome, 00185

The Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is an ancient Catholic church considered to be the largest one dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It is also one of the city’s four major basilicas.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Basilica di Santa Prassede

Via di Santa Prassede 9/A, , Rome, 00184

The Santa Prassede Basilica is famous for its Byzantine mosaics, which entirely cover the walls and vault and have been preserved in their original state. This small 9th-century church is dedicated to St Praxedes, an early Christian heroine who hid Christians fleeing persecution and buried those she couldn’t save in a well. The position of the well is now marked by a marble disc on the floor of the nave.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Basilica of Santa Pudenziana

Via Urbana 160, , Rome, 00184

Santa Pudenziana is a 4th century Christian church which is also a converted 2nd century Roman bath-house, and one of the few ancient Roman buildings that has never been a ruin. It is the national church of Rome’s Filipino community too. You can see a 4th-century apse mosaic, the oldest Christian mosaic in Rome of Christ sitting on a jewel encrusted throne, wearing a golden toga with a purple trim. He sits with his apostles, two of which were removed during restoration.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included