The Benediction Lodge at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Ferdinando Fuga, blessings lodge of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Ferdinando Fuga, blessings lodge Above the portico on the front façade of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major is the Lodge of Blessings.

It was built in 1740 by the architect Ferdinando Fuga (1699-1782) at the request of Pope Benedict XIV.

It was from this loggia that the popes gave their blessings on The Assumption, hence its name.

This part of the Basilica's façade is decorated with mosaics created between 1288 and 1308 by Filippo Rusti (1255-1325) and Gaddo Gaddi (1240-1312).

The architectural intervention by Ferdinando Fuga resulted in no longer being able to see these mosaics from the square.

Mosaics by Filippo Rusti and Gaddo Gaddi, Benediction Lodge in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Mosaics by Filippo Rusti and Gaddo Gaddi A modification that Stendhal had complained about in one of his letters from Rome in July 1828.

Fortunately, it is possible to admire these mosaics up close by taking part in the guided tour offered by the basilica.

The mosaics of the Benediction Lodge

The mosaics in the lodge are arranged on two levels.

The upper level corresponds to those made by Filippo Rusti between 1288 and 1297.

Mosaics by Filippo Rusti, Christ in glory, Blessings Lodge of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Christ in glory In the centre is the Christ enthroned and blessing, surrounded by four angels.

To his left are St James, St Paul and the Virgin, and to his right, St John the Baptist and St Peter.

The lower level of the mosaics, attributed to Gaddo Gaddi according to Vasari and dating from 1308, is divided into four parts devoted to the miracle of the snow.

On the left is the Virgin who appears in a dream to Pope Liberus and tells him that snow will fall on the Esquiline hill and that he will have to build a basilica on the site that will be covered in snow.

Mosaics of Gaddo Gaddi, apparition of the Virgin in a dream to the patrician Giovanni, lodge of blessings of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

songe of Giovanni In the following mosaic, the Virgin speaks in a dream to the patrician Giovanni and conveys the same message to him.

The right-hand side of the mosaics shows us the patrician Giovanni, kneeling before Pope Liberus and reporting to him the divine words from his dream.

The next mosaic shows the miracle of the snow, a miracle that took place on the night of 4 to 5 August 356.

In the upper part, the Virgin and Christ cause the snow to fall and, below them the Pope Liberus, accompanied by the Roman clergy and the patrician Giovanni, traces in the snow the site of the future Basilica.

Four angels sculpted by Pietro Bracci (1700-1773), which originally stood around the Baldachin of the main altar, have occupied since 1932 the corners of the Blessings Lodge.