Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma. Italia (Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome. Italy) Audiobook (Free)

The audioguide tells the storyplot, represents architecture and reports interesting facts about the biggest Roman church focused on the Mother of God and founded between 432 and 440 by order of Pope Sixtus III.

This building also has another name, dating back again to the 7th century, which is that of “basilica of Santa Maria ad praesepem” since it holds the relic of the manger, traditionally considered where Jesus was born: manger tables, along with stones through the stall, some hay and about Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma. Italia (Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome. Italy) bushes, transported from Bethlehem to Rome, are relics kept inside a precious glass teak, beneath the main altar. Once inside the basilica, we are faced with a magnificent spectacle of splendor and wealth. The wooden coffered ceiling was made by Giuliano da Sangallo, as a gift to Pope Alexander VI, area of the monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. It had been gilded using the first gold imported from Peru.

Before the Sistine Chapel may be the tomb of Bernini. In the Borghese Chapel there are the funerary monuments of the popes Paolo V and Clement VIII. At the center of the chapel stands the icon of the “Salus Populi Romani” brought from Byzantium. It really is attributed to San Luca’s hand.

With this chapel there’s a sacristy, to that your Capitular Room is adjacent. Below the chapel are the tombs from the Borghese family members, including that of Paolina Bonaparte.

Next to the Pauline Chapel we find the Sforza Chapel, probably of Michelangelo’s design.

You can examine the 3D style of the chapel and observe its interior through the MuByz App. The audioguide continues to be made by specialists in the field of history and artwork.