Santa Maria Maggiore

Description:

• Santa Maria Maggiore harmonizes a great variety of architectural styles: the naves date from the 15th century, the bell-tower is medieval, the ceiling is from the Renaissance and the domes are Baroque. Here, one might say, the entire history of ecclesiastical architecture is united under one roof. The Capella Sforza is by Michelangelo. The finest fresco painters of the age took turns decorating the walls of this imposing edifice, and it is said that the magnificent ceiling was gilded with the first gold brought back from America by Christopher Columbus. Over the years certain details of the basilica have been destroyed, notably the mosaics that used to decorate the apse, which dates from 1200. The bell-tower was rebuilt in the 14th century, to the original design, after being destroyed in an earthquake. Popes Sixtus V and Paul V are buried here.
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