Though it’s not the most well-known of Rome’s many churches, the Basilica di Santa Prassede is an essential stop for early Christian history enthusiasts and art buffs. Some church tours of Rome combine a guided visit here with stops at the larger nearby Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore), which contains another holy relic: a piece said to have been part of baby Jesus’ crib. Tours focusing on the role of women in early Christian Rome also stop at the Basilica di Santa Prassede, as do walking tours of the Monti neighborhood in which the church is situated.
Basilica di Santa Prassede is in the Monti neighborhood of central Rome. The nearest metro stations are Cavour, Vittorio Emanuele, and Termini, all of which are a 5–10 minutes’ walk away. The church entrance is on Via di Santa Prassede.
Basilica di Santa Prassede closes for several hours every day during lunchtime, so avoid middle-of-the-day visits. Despite its setting in a busy part of town, the basilica is often relatively quiet and crowd-free.
Just a few steps away from this modest-sized minor basilica sits one of Rome’s four major basilicas: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the landmark dates back as far as the 5th century, though it has been added to and expanded many times since then. The basilica is known for its well-preserved Byzantine interiors, including mosaics depicting biblical scenes.
