Santa Maria Maggiore Stock Image

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the most beautiful churches in Rome. Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary herself inspired the choice of the Esquiline Hill for the construction. Appearing in a dream to both the Patrician John and Pope Liberius, she asked that a church be built in her honor in a place that she would miraculously indicate. The morning of August 5th, the Esquiline Hill was covered with a blanket of snow.