🏛️LandmarkClosed · Opens 7:30 AMFree

Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

Name: Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Rating: 4.8

4.8 ·

Step into one of Rome's oldest churches, right on Trastevere's liveliest square. Admire the glittering gold mosaics on the façade and apse before settling in at a café-lined fountain outside.

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Reasons to go

Tradition holds this was the first church in Rome officially dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The gold mosaics on the façade and apse date largely from the 12th and 13th centuries and rank among the finest surviving examples of medieval Roman art.
It sits on Trastevere's main piazza, anchored by a fountain and surrounded by cafés.

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Full description

Tradition holds this was the first church in Rome officially dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with roots reaching back to the early Christian centuries, though the current structure and its luminous gold mosaics date largely from the 12th and 13th centuries. The façade mosaics and interior apse work are considered among the finest surviving examples of medieval Roman art.

Its setting in Trastevere's main piazza, ringed by cafés and a fountain, means the atmosphere outside is as much a draw as the church itself. It's an easy, free stop to fold into an evening exploring the neighborhood.

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Address

Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, 00153 Roma RM, Italy · Trastevere

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Hours

🎫

Booking

Walk-in

Duration

30 min

Best time

early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening

Intensity

Easy pace

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Good to know

Visit around dusk when the mosaics catch the interior lighting and the piazza outside comes alive
check opening hours around Mass times if you want a quieter look
combine with a Trastevere evening, since the surrounding streets are full of restaurants and bars.

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Reviews

A beautiful basilica with an impressive interior and a very peaceful atmosphere. The golden mosaics, stained glass, and architectural details make this place truly special. It is a wonderful stop while walking through Trastevere, offering both historical beauty and a quiet moment away from the busy streets outside.

Yana Soltan

3/5

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