Duration: 3 hrs approx.
Runs: Daily Except for Saturday and Sunday
Start Time: from 2.30PM to 5:30PM
This tour includes the Basilicas of:
- St. JOHN
- ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS
- ST. MARY MAJOR
• Tour Useful Information and Prices •
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Religious sites are subject to occasional closures for religious ceremonies. In those cases we will provide guests with an extended tour of other basilicas, or appropriate alternative. When it occurres we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Dress code is required for entries on this tour. Knees, shoulders and backs must be covered. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form even on tours with ‘Skip the Line’ or ‘No Wait’ access.
Note:
ONLY PRIVATE
• THE three BASILICAS of THE POPE TOUR•
You’ve probably already heard about the Jubilee and also about the Anno Santo, the Holy year. This is a tradition that began in the 1300, when it became possible to obtain plenary indulgences, absolution, by visiting at least 4 of the largest Roman basilicas. Through walking miles and miles from one place of martyrdom and penance to another, pilgrims would visit these churches seeking the pardoning of their sins.
Inspired by these long pilgrimages of devotion, in the second half of the 16th century, Saint Phillip Neri decided to organise the famous Seven Churches in Rome pilgrimage: a total of 25 kilometres by foot in two days. Apart from the 4 patriarchal basilicas (Saint Peters, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John of Lateran and Saint Mary Major), another three churches with celebrated reliquaries were added: Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls.
Now this is what we are talking about! Not just a tour but a journey into the past – following in the footsteps of these early pilgrims! Of course these days the path is less difficult and tiring than it was back then, yet it is still an experience filled with profound significance and interest.
A visit to the most important churches was once an obligation to anyone who arrived in Rome. Today this is still one of the more thought-provoking explorations of the city and not for purely religious motives. This is one of the best ways to discover and enjoy the artistic and archaeological beauty of Rome, each of these churches is a masterpiece.
Which of Rome’s famous “Seven Churches” will we go to on the tour?
We have chosen three. The most significant, Saint Peter’s Basilica, we have left out because it is generally included in our tours of the Vatican, and it truly does deserve a dedicated tour.
Here are the churches for this tour:
Saint John in the Lateran,
Saint Paul outside the walls
Saint Mary Major