Major Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major There is a church on the Esquiline hill, in Rome, called Santa Maria Maggiore or Saint Mary Major. This church is one of four major papal Basilicas and the largest Marian church in Rome. Every year, on August the 5th something strange and beautiful happens around this fascinating church: white rose petals fall from the domes of the Basilica, at that magical moment it looks like it is snowing in the middle of summer. So what’s the story? Why do people throw white petals from the rooftop of Santa Maria? Well, it’s an old story that’s ought to be told. In the 4th century AD, just a few years after Christianity became legal in Roman Empire, there was a married couple: Giovanni and Maria. They were rich and they loved each other very much, the life was beautiful except for one thing: they couldn’t have kids. No matter what they tried Maria could never get pregnant. When all hope was lost, they decided to ask Virgin Mary for help. So as they prayed, all of a sudden, Mary appeared before them. Desperate and frustrated they told her:”Oh Mary, you are the mother of all, you are wise and all mighty, please help us. We are willing to give everything away, to dispose of all our wealth in order to have a child.” To which Mary replied:” Wait for the sign.” So they waited and waited, and one night she came to them again, but this time in their dreams. Both Giovanni and Maria had the strangest dream ever, they dreamed of Virgin Mary who was telling them that it is going to snow on one of the seven hills of Rome, and that it is going to happen on August the 5th. Early in
Major Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major There is a church on the Esquiline hill, in Rome, called Santa Maria Maggiore or Saint Mary Major. This church is one of four major papal Basilicas and the largest Marian church in Rome. Every year, on August the 5th something strange and beautiful happens around this fascinating church:
Santa Maria del Popolo is one of those churches where you can travel in time as far back as 1099 when it was first built under the Pope Pasqual the II. It stands on the very edge of the historical center of the city, right by the main northern gate of Rome called The Flaminian Gate, and it is the first place of worship for the pilgrims coming from the north. According to tradition, the church was built there to bless and exorcise the area around Pincio hill haunted by the evil ghost of Nero who was buried there. The construction of Santa Maria del Popolo was paid for by the citizens of Rome hence the name Saint Mary of the People. The building itself embraces three major architectural styles: Neoclassical, Renaissance and Baroque, some of the most important Roman artists like Bramante, Raphael, Bernini, and Valadier had worked on the construction and reconstruction of this church throughout thousand years of its existence. Santa Maria del Popolo contains very important works of art by: Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Raphael, Bernini, Bregno, Marcillat, Algardi, and Bramante. The Chigi Chapel built by Bramante is the only existent structure designed by the great artist of the renaissance period Raphael. The church is located inside Piazza del Popolo, metro Line A, Flaminio station.
Santa Maria del Popolo is one of those churches where you can travel in time as far back as 1099 when it was first built under the Pope Pasqual the II. It stands on the very edge of the historical center of the city, right by the main northern gate of Rome called The Flaminian
Ariccia is a little town, located one hour away from Rome, in the Alban hills, in the national park called Castelli Romani, between two volcanic lakes: Lake Albano and Lake Nemi. Ariccia is about 2500 years old and because of its location it had been for ages a very important strategic point. In the end of 15th century Ariccia passed into the hands of Savelli family who started the reconstruction of the town and begun work on their family palace and many important buildings. In the 17th century it became property of one of the most important papal dynasties called Chigi family and the face of the town had changed completely with the arrival of the genius of architecture Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who together with his talented student Carlo Fontana completed the construction of the Chigi Palace, built The Church Of The Assumption, and the Piazza di Corte. The Chigi Palace of Ariccia is a lavish, baroque villa that remained virtually unchanged since its creation in late 17th century, it houses a very important art collection of baroque period, transferred there from The Chigi Palace of Rome which has been sold to the Italian government and became the Council of Ministers. Adjacent to the palace is a large park initially created for hunting and later became the place for leisure for the Chigi family and place of inspiration for artists. For many years Ariccia became a haven for the artists coming from all around the world. Such artists as Turner, Corot and Ivanov came to Ariccia to paint its beautiful landscapes, the lakes, the parks and the bridges. The town is famous for such monumets as the Chigi Palace built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Fontana, and The Church Of The Assumption also built by Bernini and his school.
Ariccia is a little town, located one hour away from Rome, in the Alban hills, in the national park called Castelli Romani, between two volcanic lakes: Lake Albano and Lake Nemi. Ariccia is about 2500 years old and because of its location it had been for ages a very important strategic point. In the end
