Santa Maria in Trastevere

My favorite church in Rome is in the heart of the bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere. It's not the most impressive nor the most fraught with artistic treasures, but for me it's simple elegance makes it the most beautiful. This is the church which lends its name to the whole neighborhood and the gilded ceilings remind me of an Orthodox church. You can literally feel the devotion here.

Many people that visit Rome choose to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain or put their hand in the Mouth of Truth.

This was the first church in Rome to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in 221AD by Pope Callixtus I and then rebuilt in the 12th century by Pope Innocent II. During these various restorations, workers discovered tombs from ancient Rome and several columns from the Baths of Caracalla.

The most impressive part of the church is the facade with its Byzantine-influenced mosaic and the amazing golden mosaic in the apse. The upper mosaics really emphasize the Virgin and depict her as being the same size as Christ, something rather unusual.

The Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere was the first Roman church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and it's located in the heart of the Trastevere neighborhood. It was founded by Pope Callixtus I during the dawn of Christianity in the 3rd century. Despite undergoing many reforms, the basilica still retains its medieval character which you can notice in the façade, bell tower, paintings and countless details. One noteworthy detail is the icon of Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady Theotokos (Mother of God) which enhance the beauty of this great basilica even more.

Beautiful church in a beautiful neighborhood.