Start at Santa Prassede to see colourful  IX-century mosaics on the arches and the apse and a real pearl, the charming Chapel of San Zeno, also IX century, where walls and vault are all mosaic.

Just across the street we visit the Papal Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore, V century, to see early Christian and medieval mosaics of the highest quality.

A few steps and we reach Santa Pudenziana, an early Christian church that houses a small but very famous apse mosaic of the IV century.

Walk down an ancient path all the way  to the Imperial Fora (15 minutes) to end at Ss. Cosma and Damian, VI century, where we see the most beautiful sky ever portrayed in mosaic.

Duration: 3 hours

No admission tickets.

Not on Sunday mornings.

Not at lunch time as most churches close for lunch.

Shoulders covered, no shorts.