|
 Santa
Maria Maggiore
The
grandiose church Santa Maria Maggiore stands on the Esquiline hill.
It is the largest and most important of the city's 80
churches dedicated to the Virgin.
Founded
around 420 AD, it retains the original colonnades triple
nave, lined with panels of rare 5th century mosaics,
amongst the most precious and beautiful in existence.
Built
under the pontificate of Sixtus III in the early 15th
century.
This
mid 18-century façade has five arches and a loggia
by Ferdinando Fuga, (in the loggia lovely mosaics from
a previous façade). The Romanesque bell tower,
standing 75 meters, is the highest in Rome.
 "Coronation of the Virgin"
A
magnificent mosaic by Iacopo Torriti 1295 is seen in
the apse above the altar, in one of the chapels of the
church.
 Legend has it that the Spanish Kings bestowed
gold pieces taking from the New World (America) to decorate
the ceiling.
|
