The portico and Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

The statue of King Philip IV of Spain by Bernini

Bernini, Philip IV King of Spain under the portico of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Philippe IV of Spain This large bronze statue was designed by Bernini (1598-1680) and cast by Girolamo Lucenti (1627-1698) in 1665.

The King Philip IV of Spain, a portrait of whom can also be seen in the Basilica's Hall of the Popes, was one of the Basilica's generous benefactors and even an honorary canon.

Porta Santa, the Holy Door

The porta Santa in bronze in the portico of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major was created in 2000 by the sculptor Luigi Mattei (1945) and bened by Pope John Paul II on 8 December 2001.

The Holy Door At its centre is the Resurrected Christ and to its left the Virgin Mary.

Above the Virgin and Christ are the Annunciation and Pentecost.

The bottom of the door represents, on the left, the Council of Ephesus which affirmed the divine maternity of the Virgin by naming her « Mother of God » (Theotòkos) and on the right the Council of Vatican II which named her « Mater Ecclesiae ».

Below the Virgin and below Christ are the arms of John Paul II and cardinal Furno, the basilica's archpriest.

The Holy Door is opened on Roman jubilees, a tradition dating back to the year 1300.

The bronze door Originally, Jubilees were held every fifty years, but, since 1470, they have taken place every twenty-five years.

The Saint Mary's Gate in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major has opened once again for the Jubilee of 2025.

The bronze door of the portico

Under the portico, a large bronze door describes episodes from the life of the Evangelists and the Virgin.

It was sculpted in 1949 by Ludovico Pogliaghi (1857-1950).

The high reliefs of the portico of Saint Mary Major

Among the four marble high reliefs that adorn the portico of the Basilica are « The offering of the goods of the patrician Giovanni to Pope Liberus », the work of Bernardino Ludovisi (1693-1749), dating from 1743.

Another high relief, « Pope Hilarius presides over a council in the Basilica », was sculpted by Pietro Bracci (1700-1773) in 1742.

The offer of the goods of the patrician Giovanni to Pope Liberus, portico of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

The bronze door