Basilica of Santa Maria in Via Lata and the underground areas

starting from 11
  • Duration: 40 minutes
  • Priority access
  • Photos without flash
  • Mobile Ticket
  • Audioguide available

Description

The Church of Santa Maria in via Lata is founded on very ancient origins. Around the year one thousand the church was built on a previous one of the VII-VIII century. Later it was transformed in the Baroque style. However, it preserves the memory of the Apostles Peter and Paul, who were hosted, according to tradition, in these buildings during the years of their imprisonment in Rome.

The Church of Santa Maria in via Lata was built, according to the testimonies of the time, at the end of the seventh century AD, under Pope Sergio I, who established a diakonia here. It was a structure intended for spiritual assistance, obtained from pre-existing buildings from the Roman era. Subsequently a medieval church was built with the facade facing today's Piazza del Collegio Romano. Over time, the building underwent several reconstructions until it took on its baroque appearance with Pope Alexander VII Chigi. Pietro da Cortona was entrusted with the construction of the facade. He also took care of bringing to light the underground by creating a path to allow the pilgrimage to the holy place believed to be the home of the Apostles.

What is included?

  • Visit to the underground areas of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Via Lata
  • Assistance of our multilingual staff
  • Booking and management costs
  • Skip the line and don't waste your time

Available options

  • Audioguide available in various languages

Price reductions

  • Reduced ticket for children aged 6-17
  • Free Ticket for children under 6 years old (It is still required to pay the reservation fee to skip the line; valid identity document needed at the entrance)
  • Free Ticket for disable people and any accompanying person

Meeting point

To remember

  • Please bear in mind that there are specific limitations for disabled visitors due to the specific nature of the sites.
  • Maximum group size for each entrance: 15 people. Larger groups will be able to enter staggered.
  • Official guides are authorized to accompany their group.
  • We recommend visitors to wear shoes appropriate for an ancient often uneven surface and, according to the time of year, clothes appropriate for underground temperatures.
  • Smoking is prohibited inside the monuments.