Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the oldest Christian shrines in the world. Its construction began in the middle of the third century. A curious legend is connected with the construction site - as if the Roman Giovanni Patrizio dreamed of the Virgin Mary herself, and gave an order - to build a church on the place where the snow will fall the next day. It was fine, but it was a hot summer. And the snow did fall, and since then the church has risen on Esquiline Hill. Subsequently, it was replaced by a basilica, which was rebuilt many times - each new Pope considered it necessary to add something of his own to this beautiful structure. The last innovation was the facade with a portico and loggia, which was completed in 1740.