Best temples in Rome

The great basilica built between 1506 and 1626 and the foremost of Rome's seven pilgrimage churches.

"The great basilica built between 1506 and 1626 and the foremost of Rome's seven pilgrimage churches."

Commissioned by Constantine in 324, it was the first Christian basilica in Rome. Inside are gigantic doors, marble statues of the twelve apostles and a detailed golden ceiling, all in a calm, peaceful atmosphere.

"Commissioned by Constantine in 324, it was the first Christian basilica in Rome. Inside are gigantic"

The church at the top of the Spanish Steps. A Sixtine street was forced to end in front of it because of the steep hill.

"The church at the top of the Spanish Steps. A Sixtine street was forced to end in front of it becaus"

A chapel across from St. John Lateran housing the 28 steps said to be the staircase Jesus climbed at Pontius Pilate's palace. Pilgrims ascend on their knees, saying a prayer on each step, which takes about 15 minutes.

"A chapel across from St. John Lateran housing the 28 steps said to be the staircase Jesus climbed at"

A church on the walk between the Colosseum and San Giovanni. It closes for a couple of hours at lunchtime, so time your visit accordingly.

"A church on the walk between the Colosseum and San Giovanni. It closes for a couple of hours at lunc"

One of the seven pilgrimage churches. Sixtus V marked it with an obelisk as a key node in his street network.

"One of the seven pilgrimage churches. Sixtus V marked it with an obelisk as a key node in his street"

One of the original five pilgrimage churches of Rome.

"One of the original five pilgrimage churches of Rome."

One of the original five pilgrimage churches of Rome.

"One of the original five pilgrimage churches of Rome."

A pilgrimage church that was later accorded special veneration. Sixtus V planned a street linking it directly to Piazza del Popolo.

"A pilgrimage church that was later accorded special veneration. Sixtus V planned a street linking it"

One of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome, later accorded special veneration.

"One of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome, later accorded special veneration."

One of the two churches framing Piazza Navona's fountains.

"One of the two churches framing Piazza Navona's fountains."

A church facing Piazza Navona that helps frame its Baroque fountains.

"A church facing Piazza Navona that helps frame its Baroque fountains."

Francesco Borromini's small church tucked into a corner of the Quattro Fontane crossroads. The narrator calls it one of the most beautiful churches in Rome.

"Francesco Borromini's small church tucked into a corner of the Quattro Fontane crossroads. The narra"

A church built on the site of Saint Cecilia's home, where early Christians held mass. It contains a tender, peaceful statue of the martyred saint.

"A church built on the site of Saint Cecilia's home, where early Christians held mass. It contains a "

An early Christian church fronting the neighbourhood's main square.

"An early Christian church fronting the neighbourhood's main square."

The Jewish community's centre, built in an Art Nouveau style with a dash of Tiffany. Its dome is painted in rainbow colours and stars.

"The Jewish community's centre, built in an Art Nouveau style with a dash of Tiffany. Its dome is pai"

A church with a glorious Gothic interior containing the tomb of Saint Catherine and the tombs of two Medici popes. It also holds Michelangelo's Christ carrying the cross and Filippino Lippi's frescoes.

"A church with a glorious Gothic interior containing the tomb of Saint Catherine and the tombs of two"

A seemingly modest church with a lavish interior. It hides Bernini's theatrical Cornaro Chapel and his masterpiece, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa.

"A seemingly modest church with a lavish interior. It hides Bernini's theatrical Cornaro Chapel and h"