Church Santa Maria in Aracoeli

This basilica is located on the Capitol Hill, right behind the Vittoriano monument on Piazza Venezia. Many interesting stories relate to this church that draws a vast number of tourists and pilgrims who want to satisfy their curiosity or even ask for a miracle.

Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli is located on the top of the Capitol Hill in Rome (one of 7 famous hills in the city). The church was built in the 6^th century and was originally called Santa Maria in Capitolio.
According to the legend the church was built on the spot where Augustus, the first Roman Imperator, had a vision of a mother with a child in her arms, and had a prophecy of Christ’s arrival. This is the reason why centuries later the church was renamed to Ara coeli or “Altar of Heavens”.
The church can be reached from the steps that lead directly to it on the right side of the Vittoriano monument on piazza Venezia, or from the first level terraces of the same monument. These 124 steps were constructed most probably in the 14^th century.

(!) Steps that lead to the church are long and offer a nice place for tourists to sit and have a break from the long walk and enjoy the view. However, be aware that this is an attractive place for thieves as well. The usual tactics are to sneak up to people, take their bags and walk or run away. Take the warning seriously because this is exactly what happened to the journalists of TravelandBack, and something that happens to hundreds of tourists every day in Rome.

Ticket prices for Church Santa Maria in Aracoeli
The entrance is Free of charge.

Working hours of Church Santa Maria in Aracoeli
From May to September working hours are:  09:00-12:30 / 15:00-18:30h.
From October to April working hours are: 09:00-12:30 / 14:30-17:30h.


Interesting facts

• This church is most famous for the sculpture “Santo Bambino” or “Holy Child” from the 15^th century, which was stolen in 1994 and never found again. According to the stories, this sculpture was baptized in the Jordan River, had miraculous powers, could revive the dead and cure all illnesses. If the sculpture would perform the miracle, its lips would become purple in color, while in the other case the color would not change. Over centuries, it became famous for its unearthly powers.  After the original was stolen in 1994, a copy was commissioned to replace it.
• In the ancient Rome period, on this spot there was a temple dedicated to Giunone Moneta (the wife of the god Jupiter). Right next to it there was an ancient mint that produced coins for the Roman Empire. After some time the mint got the name Moneta because of the proximity of the temple, and finally the money that it produced was called moneta (the term still in use in Italian language, and a root of the word in many other languages, e.g. in English - money).
• The stairs that lead to the church were used over centuries by women who wished for a husband, by mothers praying for the milk for their babies, by those that wanted to have children, or even those hoping to win a lottery. They would all climb the stairs on their knees hoping for a miracle.
• The facade of this church, nowadays nude, was once covered with mosaics and frescos. It is interesting that the first clock in Rome was installed on this façade in 1412. Later, in 1806, the clock was moved to the adjacent building called Palazzo Senatorio.