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Relics in Rome

Can anyone tell me if there is a tour you can take or even something you can download to go see these churches by yourself? Or is it even possible to see these all on one day? I don't know if there is a cost or anything. Thank you in advance.

01 of 10. Saint Peter's Basilica. ...
02 of 10. San Giovanni in Laterno (St. ...
03 of 10. Santa Maria Maggiore (St. ...
04 of 10. San Paolo Fuori le Mura (Saint Paul Outside the Walls) ...
05 of 10. Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. ...
06 of 10. Santa Maria in Cosmedin. ...
07 of 10. San Silvestro in Capite. ...
08 of 10. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

Posted by
16660 posts

It's rare for any church in Rome to have an entry fee. If they do it's usually to access Roman ruins under the foundations.

You can't see all of them on your list in one day, nor do you want to try to do that. Location-wise, they're way too spread out, and some deserve more time than others, if into architecture and art. The security queue at St. Peter's could be long but it moves pretty quickly. This section of Rome's tourism website may have visiting info for all or most of them, and/or provide their individual websites for checking current visiting hours.

https://www.turismoroma.it/en/tipo-luogo/churches-and-basilicas

This site does provide some tours but the cost is for a group; if not part of one, they're quite expensive:
https://thecatholictraveler.com/guides/rome/

We've done 1/2 of these churches on our own; just by marking the locations on a paper map, and while visiting other attractions in their individual areas.

Posted by
34145 posts

your number 08 is a continuing adventure - after exploring the church you can go down below to the temple of Minerva - well worth the effort.

What happened to 09 of 10 and 10 of 10?

Posted by
89 posts

Another fun stop is the Capuchin Crypt a/k/a bone chapel in Rome. It's an easy walk from the U.S. Embassy.

Posted by
7988 posts

Years ago, when I wanted to see "The Ecstasy of St. Theresa" by Bernini, the church was open very few hours.

Posted by
15798 posts

Note what Tim said. Check the opening hours for each one you plan to visit. It surprised me that some are open for only a couple hours in the morning and again in the afternoon. The best time to visit St Peter's is first thing in the morning when they open (I think around 7-7.30). No lines at security, no crowds inside.

Posted by
16660 posts

I'll back up a little and focus in the word "relics" in the headline?

Is there a specific, religious-based reason you've chosen these 8 churches? I am not a Catholic nor particularly religious so your reasons for having chosen them may be very different than my own. Sacred relics? Virtually EVERY Catholic church in Rome has at least one of those so it would help to know what has prompted your list?

Bernini's "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" is at Santa Maria della Vittoria. While a terrific piece of sculpture, it is not considered a "relic" in the sacred sense of the word. The wax effigy said to contain relics of a little-known martyr named Santa Vittoria is probably a different matter to the faithful.