Experts' Choice Award Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
What the experts agree on
Deceptive exterior hides an ornate baroque interior with Renaissance tapestries. The 12th-century basilica's most striking features are Giovanni da Campione's elaborate 14th-century porches, flanked by dramatic lion sculptures.
“Although the basilica dates from 12C, the North and South porches were added by Giovanni da Campione in the 14C.”
– Michelin Guide
Frommer's "Behind the plain marble facade and a portico whose columns rise out of the backs of lions lies an overly baroque gilt-covered interior hung with Renaissance tapestries" Full review
The Guardian "We make our way down and into the basilica – built almost nine centuries ago in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for warding off infections from a plague spreading across Europe. A work of..."
National Geographic
