Yes, if the Catholics have to be believed, snow fell in this church in the middle of summer in Rome. But, first, let me clarify: the snowing happened first before the church was built. Not the other way around. Here’s the story in brief.
Legend has it that a rich couple with no heirs made a promise that they’d donate all their properties to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Of course, they prayed to Her, hoping that She would give them a vision of how their wealth will be spent or disposed of.
In the middle of the summer season in Rome, snow fell on the peak of Esquiline Hill – at night.
And on that same night, too, the couple had a vision of how to dispose of their wealth.
They decided to build the Basilica in honour of the Mother of God.
Today, it is known as Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. It’s also known as Our lady of Snows.
My Lonely Planet Guidebook says that, inside, you’ll find the exact place where the snow fell. I wasn’t able to go inside this basilica because it was closed today. Or maybe, I just couldn’t find the entrance? LOL… 😀 😀 😀
And here’s the thing – this story was never mentioned until a few hundred years later. The story was published in the Catholic Encyclopedia in 1911.
Now, you’ll be the judge: Is the story true or false? Choose your hashtag: #FakeNews or #SoTrue. If you’re intrigued, there’s more of this legend here.
How to Save in Rome
Rome and the Vatican are full of places to see and history to marvel at. If you’re going to stay there for a few days only, it’s very impossible to squeeze everything you want to see. So, it is wise to do the Hop-on and Hop-Off Bus Pass for 24, 48, and 72 hours! This will save you time and you’ll see the places you’ve been dying to visit and have known of from the pages of history books.
Where to stay in Rome – Hostel in Rome
Hostel Alessandro Palace and Bar is your best bet in Rome. This hostel exceeded my expectations. The spacious rooms are secured with magnetic key cards and equipped with safe lockers for your valuables. You have to bring your own lock though. If you forgot to bring one, you can always buy one in their vending machine downstairs. They also have a bar that serves your alcohol needs. The staff are friendly and speaks English, too. The area has a lot of cafes, restaurants, and grocery shops. The Roman Colosseum is 30 minutes and the Trevi Fountain is 20 minutes walk from here. But, most of all, it’s less than 5 minutes walk to the Rome Central Station. Trains to the airport and to other parts of Italy start and end at this station. You can book your accommodations in Rome through HostelWorld and Booking.com.
Discover More – Join a Tour in Rome
Rome is a very historic city and one of the ancient civilizations. There’s so much to take in, learn and marvel at. So, to maximize your time without hassles, I’d recommend that you join a tour. Not all tours are expensive, some are affordable. Click the links below and see what you can afford.
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