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4 hours
Driving tour with Chauffeur, Guide & Sedan
Private group
Your Hotel
Rome is home to more churches than any other city in the world—900 and counting! Whether you’re a pilgrim or a tourist, Catholic or otherwise, exploring the Holy Churches of Rome is essential for understanding the city’s profound spiritual heritage. This driving tour offers a unique opportunity to visit the city’s four Papal Basilicas in just one day, allowing you to fully appreciate their grandeur and historical significance.
First, no tour of the Holy Churches of Rome is complete without Saint Peter’s Basilica, the triumph of Christendom. Located at the site where Saint Peter, the first Pope, was crucified, this iconic basilica represents the heart of the Christian world. Its stunning architecture and rich history make it a must-see for all visitors to Rome.
Next, you’ll visit the Lateran Basilica, the true seat of the Pope. This Papal Basilica is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and remarkable historical monuments from the late antique and medieval periods. Moreover, its intricate details and historical significance make it an essential stop on this tour.
After that, the tour continues to Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, a hidden gem often overlooked by visitors. Located on the outskirts of the city, this basilica features extraordinary artwork and serene surroundings. Fortunately, we ensure that this magnificent site is included in your driving tour.
Finally, your journey ends at Saint Mary Major, one of Rome’s most iconic churches. Home to masterpieces by Bernini and Pope Sixtus V, this basilica showcases Rome’s architectural and spiritual splendor. Its timeless beauty is the perfect conclusion to your tour.
In fulfilment of Christ's words to his apostle Peter, "You will be the rock on which I shall build my church," the world's grandest cathedral now majestically stands upon the tomb of St. Peter. It is the product of over 200 years of various building projects. Countless Popes and Architects have had their hand in the finished product that you will see. It truly is an enduring legacy to centuries of faith and devotion, made manifest in stone.
This is the seat of the bishop of Rome (i.e. the Pope). That’s right, the Pope's main church is not in fact Saint Peter’s, as many would believe. Adorned by an ancient Egyptian obelisk, and the baptistry where Emperor Constantine himself was baptised, this church is just as jaw-dropping, yet half as crowded as Saint Peter’s
This hidden gem of a church lies, as the name would suggest, outside of the Aurelian Walls. What it lacks in crowds it makes up for in its spendor. The silence when you walk into the church is almost jarring. Every inch of this church is decorated with the finest marble, and there is even a mosaic portrait of every single Pope throughout history.
Its twin domes are unmistakable when spotted on the horizon. This church is an absolute beauty, and its history stretches all the way back to 432 AD. This is a must see for all art lovers, since it is the home to the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini!
Suggested starting time: 08:30 AM; 09:00 AM; (Times may have to change slightly due to ticket availability)
