AMAZING (G)RACE TO ROME'S 3 MAJOR BASILICAS IN 2 HOURS

On the day of my 9 day Bangkok trip, I had three hours to spare in Rome. I woke up early, arranged and packed my luggage and ventured to my amazing race in the city. It was my first visit to the basilicas  which added up to my excitement.I initially planned  to visit only two of the  Major Basilicas namely,  San Giovanni in Laterano because it is the Cathedral Diocese  of Rome, the seat of the Bishop and San Paolo Fuori Le Mura because, well I graduated from a school named after the Saint. But since the Basilica di Maria Maggiore  is near the San Giovanni Basilica I then included it in the list. There are actually 4 major basilicas in Rome, The St. Peter's Basilica being the largest among them. All of these Major Basilicas are listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

St. Peter's Basilica

FYI: No Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom. And according to the 1929 Lateran Treaty, the basilicas located in Italian territory, is owned by the Holy See and enjoys extraterritorial status similar to that of foreign embassies. The Basilicas are  patrolled internally by police agents of Vatican City State, not by Italian police.

monument in front of San Giovanni

 I went first to Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. It was still very early and cold. I didn't saw any  other visitors going there except me and nobody around to ask for directions.  I just  followed my instincts and voila! I was in front of the Basilica. I went inside prayed and took some photos then off to my next stop.

  From San Giovanni I walked to the next church. I read that the Santa Maria Maggiore  is just near the San Giovanni. It was a leisurely 10 minute-walk thanks to the flea market on the sideways. When I reached the church, I realized its not the Maria Maggiore but the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.Too bad I was not able to take some photos.I hurriedly went to the bus stops and  asked one Signora how to go to  Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica there. She told me that I can take a short bus ride or have a 25-30 minutes walk. My dilemma was, it's a Sunday, buses don't pass as frequently on a weekday. While thinking about the options, the bus arrived. Yahoo!!

photo of the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme Church taken at Piazza San Giovanni

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme Church

the flea market, the building on the far left if the San Giovanni Basilica

 Finally,Santa  Maria Maggiore. There were already lots of tourists here. Both inside the Church and the piazza in front.Mass was on going at the time I was there so I wasn't able to take a lot of photos.What's important is , I was able to visit the Basilica.

 

 Only thirty minutes left and I was having second thoughts if I will still go to San Paolo Fuori Le Mura. The Basilica is quite far from where I am  and I need to transfer from one Metro line to another for both ways, going to the Basilica and returning to my hotel. I decided to go but on my way, I was really praying hard to St. Paul to stop the clock because I really want to visit Him in His Basilica..LOL!!

 I only stayed here for about fifteen minutes. Taking photos in a hurry or else I will miss my flight. It was tiring yet fulfilling amazing race.