Early Bird: Exclusive Tour of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and its Underground Chambers

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EXCLUSIVE

Duration

1h20

Schedules

07:25

Activity

group tour

Language

English

Cancellations

From

€ 39

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Highlights

Enjoy exclusive early access to Santa Maria Maggiore. Discover the legend of the August snowfall, admire 5th-century mosaics, visit the museum, Loggia, and Hall of the Popes, and explore the underground area with early Christian and medieval remains.

Details

What to expect

This exclusive early morning tour of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — the most beloved church of Pope Francis — grants you privileged access to its spiritual and architectural wonders before it opens to the public.

With the basilica bathed in soft morning light, you’ll explore its most iconic and hidden spaces: the Loggia of Blessings, the elegant Bernini staircase, the historic Hall of the Popes, and the intimate museum collections.

Then descend into the archaeological undergrounds, where centuries of buried Christian and medieval history await — a rare experience few get to witness.

As you move through this extraordinary space in near silence, you’ll come to understand why it meant so much to Pope Francis, and why this moment feels like a true Roman privilege.

Included

Ticket to the Museum Areas, including the Loggia of Blessings, the Hall of the Popes, the Bernini staircase, and the museum
Ticket to the Archaeological Area, with access to the undergrounds (sotterranei) showcasing early Christian remains and medieval crypts
Exclusive entry at 7:30 AM, before regular opening hours — exclusive by Tourismotion
Guided tour conducted by a professional, licensed guide
Audio headsets to ensure you can hear the guide clearly at all times
Check-in assistance on-site, with Tourismotion staff easily recognizable by branded T-shirts and signage

Not included

Pick up and transfer
Tips

Know before to go

All visitors are required to pass through a mandatory metal detector check.
Children aged 0–6 are not allowed in the underground archaeological area.
A respectful dress code is required to enter the Basilica: no low necklines, skirts or shorts above the knee, and shoulders must be covered.
Comfortable footwear is recommended.
The underground area is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility or those who suffer from claustrophobia. Participation in this part of the tour is optional, but the ticket price remains the same.