Christian Rome

Rome – the cradle of Christianity - counts almost 300
churches and a number of basilicas. The city attracts a
great number of visitors and pilgrims. Each corner is
adorned with piazzas, churches, masterpieces and
historical sites.
This tour combines the visit of some of the most
significant churches in Rome, including the four most
important basilicas – St. Peter’s, Santa Maria Maggiore,
San Paolo fuori le mura and San Giovanni in Laterano.
Depending on the weekdays, e tour Papal Audience or the
Angelus can be added to the programme (on Wednesdays
or on Sundays respectively).
This tour in short
- 4 nights in Rome (a central or semi central hotel – upon wish)
- a HD guided tour the Vatican and St Peter’s
- visit of the St Peter’s Basilica (skip the line)
- a FD guided tour the Basilicas of Rome
- a FD guided tour the Baroque piazzas and churches
- a FD visit the Christian Catacombs and Castel Gandolfo
- entrance into the Domitilla Catacombs
- bus rent throughout the whole tour if necessary
.
* (Meals / other entrances and services will be arranged upon request)
The programme
Day 1: Arrival in Rome . Optional: Dinner at a typical restaurant / hotel.
Day 2: Visit of the Vatican
An integral part of the tour is a visit of the Papal state, the smallest state in the world – the Vatican. Admire the St Peter’s
Square, each Sunday and Wednesday overcrowded by visitors, and see the Pope’s window. Then Proceed to the St Peter’s
Mistral Incoming Italia
Lungo Dora Colletta 67, Torino (Turin)
www.mistralincoming.it
incoming@italia.mistral.it

Church, one of the holiest places of Christendom, and the largest Christian chuch. See the Michelangelo’s Pietà, the
Bernini’s Baldachin and other masterpieces, guarded in its interior. Then, after a brief elevator ride, climb to the dome,
to view the interior of the majestic cupola.
(You may wish to add a visit of the Vatican Museums). Afternoon free (or opt for an alternative visit)
Day 3: The Basilicas of Rome
On Day 3, visit of some of the main basilicas of Rome. First, you cannot miss San Giovanni in Laterano (St John in the
Lateran), an important church founded by Constantine as the first Christian Basilica (which also served as a model for
Christian churches). The church is also believed to be the cathedral of Rome (as St Peter’s actually belongs to the Vatican).
(Possibility to visit its baptistry or the cloister)
Then see the Scala Santa (the Holy Stairs) – 28 steps, the staircase leading to Pontius Pilates’ home, thus believed to be
the stairs Jesus walked to meet him, and later brought to Rome. At the top o f the stairs the chapel Sanctra Sanctorum is
located.
Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s patriarchal basilicas and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome. The church
also has an important architectural value as it combines baroque and romanesque elements, and ancient mosaics. The
church also contains the less known 16th century Sixtine Chapel, which contains the tombs f Pius Sixtus V and Pius V.
After lunch, reach the Basilica St Paul’s Outside the Walls (San Paolo fuori le mura). It is the burial place of St Paul the
Apostle. After his death, his followers erected a shrine over his grave; the original shrine was then demolished and a
larger church was then built. The church also guards various notable relics (among which, St Paul’s prison chains, exposed
on special days).
Day 4: The Baroque Rome and its churches
In the morning, transfer to the city centre and join your local guide for a delightful stroll through the centre to admire
the Borromini’s and Bernini’s legacy – the Baroque palazzi, the squares and fountains, such as the Piazza Spagna, with
its Trinità dei monti stairs - one of the most famous Piazzas in Rome. See the jewel of Rome – the Trevi Fountain
(currently being renovated), the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman Buildings, and which the 7 th
century has been used as a church dedicated to St Mary and the Martyrs. It is also a burial place of famous personalities
such as Raphael.
During the stroll through the Baroque city centre, if possibile, you may enter in some of the most notable churches such
as Sant’Agnese in Agone Church, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, Sant’Andrea al Quirinale and San Carlino alle Quattro
Fontane.
Day 5: Christian Catacombs
Some of the catacombs are open to the public – the Catacombs of Priscilla, St. Agnes, St. Callixtus, St. Sebastian and
Domitilla. We suggest visiting the well preserved Catacombs of Domitilla, spread over 17 km of underground caves of
tufa stone (not all of them are accessible), with about 150 000 burials. The Catacombs illustrate the Christian
Community in Imperial Rome in the time period between the 2 nd and 9 th centuries. These catacombs are the only ones
that still contain an underground basilica that can be visited.
Proceed to The Albani Hills, and area of volcanic lakes and pretty villages near Rome. Visit Castel Gandolfo, where the
Pope’s summer residence is located (not open to public).
To finish the tour, we suggest dinner at a typical trattoria (with the fresh Frascati wine of the region).
Day 6: Departure
With pleasure we will organise the tour for you! Do not hesitate to contact us for an offer with the
suggested hotels, the prices and programme changes.
Mistral Incoming Italia
Lungo Dora Colletta 67, Torino (Turin)
www.mistralincoming.it
incoming@italia.mistral.it