The Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is an ancient Catholic church considered to be the largest one dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It is also one of the city’s four major basilicas.

The Santa Prassede Basilica is famous for its Byzantine mosaics, which entirely cover the walls and vault and have been preserved in their original state. This small 9th-century church is dedicated to St Praxedes, an early Christian heroine who hid Christians fleeing persecution and buried those she couldn’t save in a well. The position of the well is now marked by a marble disc on the floor of the nave.

Santa Pudenziana is a 4th century Christian church which is also a converted 2nd century Roman bath-house, and one of the few ancient Roman buildings that has never been a ruin. It is the national church of Rome’s Filipino community too. You can see a 4th-century apse mosaic, the oldest Christian mosaic in Rome of Christ sitting on a jewel encrusted throne, wearing a golden toga with a purple trim. He sits with his apostles, two of which were removed during restoration.