The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, or the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, is one of the four major basilicas in Rome, Italy. It is also known as Our Lady of the Snows, a name derived from a legend tied to its foundation. According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to a nobleman named John and Pope Liberius on August 5, 352, instructing them to build a church where snow would fall the next day. Miraculously, snow fell on the Esquiline Hill despite it being midsummer, and the basilica was constructed on that spot. The basilica's construction started in the 4th century under Pope Liberius and was later expanded and refurbished by Pope Sixtus III in 432-440. The basilica is a remarkable example of Early Christian and Baroque architecture, with some elements of the medieval and Renaissance periods. The exterior of the basilica is impressive, with a façade flanked by two bell towers and adorned with numerous statues, including a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child on the top. The entrance is through a portico added by Pope Eugene III in 1143. The basilica's side doors are decorated with bronze panels depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. As you step inside, you instantly feel a sense of grandeur. The basilica is expansive, with a central nave and two side aisles. The interior is adorned with beautiful mosaics, including the 5th-century mosaics on the triumphal arch and the nave's walls, which depict scenes from the Old Testament. The coffered ceiling, gilded with gold brought back by Christopher Columbus from the New World, is another highlight. The basilica is also home to the Crypt of the Nativity or Bethlehem Crypt, where a relic believed to be a piece of the crib of Jesus Christ is kept. The Sistine Chapel within the basilica, not to be confused with the more famous Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, contains tombs of several popes, including Pope Sixtus V. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is not just a place of worship, but also a treasure trove of art, history, and culture. It stands as a testament to the rich religious history of Rome and continues to attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.