Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere (Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere), Rome

Situated in the historic Trastevere district, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere derives its name from the nearby church, which underwent a splendid restoration of its facade mosaics in 2018. This church, considered Rome's first official Christian place of worship, was established by Pope Callixtus I in the 3rd century, during a time when Christianity remained a minority belief. Its location is said to be where an oil fountain miraculously emerged on the day of Christ's birth.

Today, the church predominantly reflects a 12th-century structure renowned for its magnificent mosaics. Particularly noteworthy is the apse mosaic depicting the Coronation of the Virgin, alongside the six mosaics by Pietro Cavallini below, which portray the life of the Virgin with remarkable realism. The nave showcases twenty-two granite columns sourced from the remnants of ancient Roman buildings. Despite some additions in the 18th-century Baroque style, Santa Maria has preserved its medieval charm.

Beneath the grand altar on the right, an inscription reading "FONS OLEI" designates the spot where the oil is believed to have gushed forth.

Why You Should Visit:
One of the oldest (if not the oldest) churches in Rome; extremely ornate and well worth a visit when visiting Trastevere.
During the evening, the church's facade sparkles with the illuminated brilliance of its mosaics.

Tip:
Similar to other churches, it is customary to have your shoulders and knees covered, regardless of the outside temperature.
A good idea would be to plan on spending a little extra time in the area to grab lunch, dinner or gelato.