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Churches and art in Rome

The major basilicas, the free Caravaggio churches, the mosaics and the hidden chapels most visitors walk straight past.

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The Caravaggio trail: seeing his paintings free in Rome's churches — Seven Caravaggio paintings survive in Roman churches, all free to see. San Luigi

The Caravaggio trail: seeing his paintings free in Rome's churches

Seven Caravaggio paintings survive in Roman churches, all free to see. San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Maria del Popolo, Sant'Agostino — a practical route

The four papal basilicas of Rome: a complete guide — Rome's four papal basilicas — St. Peter's, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria

The four papal basilicas of Rome: a complete guide

Rome's four papal basilicas — St. Peter's, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Paolo fuori le Mura — all free to enter. What to see at

Rome's churches: Caravaggios, mosaics and free masterpieces — Rome's churches hold some of the world's greatest art — Caravaggios, Byzantine m

Rome's churches: Caravaggios, mosaics and free masterpieces

Rome's churches hold some of the world's greatest art — Caravaggios, Byzantine mosaics, Bernini sculpture — all free to enter. A complete guide to the

Rome's hidden churches: masterpieces with no queue — Rome's lesser-known churches hold Michelangelo sculptures, Raphael frescoes, and

Rome's hidden churches: masterpieces with no queue

Rome's lesser-known churches hold Michelangelo sculptures, Raphael frescoes, and medieval mosaics — all free, all uncrowded. A practical guide to the best.

Rome's Byzantine mosaics: where to see the city's golden art — Rome has extraordinary Byzantine and early Christian mosaics — Santa Maria Maggi

Rome's Byzantine mosaics: where to see the city's golden art

Rome has extraordinary Byzantine and early Christian mosaics — Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Prassede, Santa Maria in Trastevere. A complete guide to where

San Clemente: three churches stacked across 2,000 years — San Clemente is Rome in layers — a 12th-century basilica over a 4th-century chur

San Clemente: three churches stacked across 2,000 years

San Clemente is Rome in layers — a 12th-century basilica over a 4th-century church over a 1st-century Roman house and Mithraic temple. Free above, €10

Santa Maria Maggiore: Rome's greatest Marian basilica — Santa Maria Maggiore holds 5th-century mosaics unmatched anywhere. Free entry, n

Santa Maria Maggiore: Rome's greatest Marian basilica

Santa Maria Maggiore holds 5th-century mosaics unmatched anywhere. Free entry, no queues, and a ceiling gilded with the first gold from the Americas.

St John Lateran: the cathedral of Rome and the Holy Stairs — San Giovanni in Laterano is Rome's actual cathedral — older than St. Peter's, wi

St John Lateran: the cathedral of Rome and the Holy Stairs

San Giovanni in Laterano is Rome's actual cathedral — older than St. Peter's, with a Borromini interior, medieval cloister, and the famous Holy Stairs.