Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Everyone erroneously thinks that St. Peter’s Basilica is the Pope’s Church. It is, however, the Basilica of John Lateran that is the Cathedral Church (holds the cathedra, or bishop’s chair) for the Bishop of Rome — the Pope. As one of the four major Basilica’s in Rome it is definitely worth seeing. Inside you’ll find incredible statues of the Apostles. It’s an impressive site with impressive artwork. Don’t miss the Holy Stairs, which are located across the street. They are the stairs that Jesus climbed to meet Pontius Pilate. They were brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326 by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine. You can see a statue of Constantine just inside the entry to the Lateran Basilica.

The Archbasilica of St. John in the Lateran is tops among the four Major Basilicas, which is the reason why it is the only one to carry the prefix «arch-​» in its name. It outranks St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. It is the official seat of the Pope and the oldest among the four.
We arrived here by taking the Rome Metro Line A (orange line) and getting off at the San Giovanni station. After walking past the Porta San Giovanni section of the Aurelian Walls, we turned left at the piazza and walked the path leading to the Archbasilica. Atop the façade are the statues of Christ and the saints while beneath them is written an abbreviated Latin inscription signifying the dedication of the structure to Christ the Savior in honor of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
I thought the exterior did not have the same captivating appeal as St. Peter’s, but the interior was in a class of its own. On each side of the nave were the huge statues of the 12 Apostles whose niches were actually vacant for a long time until they were eventually filled in the early 18^th century. The larger-​than-​life sculptures were exceptional, but they’re not the main highlights. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page wrote about «a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold.» I wonder if that lady made it here. A lot of the artifacts were simply shiny and beautiful. And it wasn’t just the gold; even the silver and the bronze had their own radiance. Over at the altar stood the impressive bright baldachin (canopy). Looking up, the magnificent coffered ceilings were very much aglow. Speaking of ceilings, the Sistine Chapel has the frescoes and the Vatican Museums have the Gallery of Maps. The Archbasilica will not take a back seat. It was absolutely grand and majestic.
It was a Sunday when we came here so we made it a point to attend one of the morning masses. It wasn’t the first time for me to have it on a foreign language. I did it every week when I got lucky to get a work assignment in Southern France. We even attended a Portuguese mass in Tracy, CA and a Spanish mass in Stockton, CA because I did not pay close attention to the schedules. As a Catholic, I have my reasons for going although I didn’t understand what the priest was saying. But if you happen to be in Rome and you are a person of different faith, consider including a visit to the Archbasilica and St. Peter’s. From a historical and architectural perspective, there are many things that can be learned…

On our visit to Rome, my friend and I took a pilgrimage to all four of the major Catholic Basilicas. We started with San Giovanni in Laterno (St. John) because it was within walking distance of our hotel. There were armed guards outside of the basilica searching visitors upon entrance, but we didn’t mind the heightened security. It only took a few minutes to get through. Entrance was free as all churches in Rome are. The exterior of the basilica isn’t eye-​catching, but once we entered the church, I was blown away by its magnificence. I should mention I’m an atheist and could see how non-​believers would view it as too much opulence and a waste of resources, but I was traveling with a Catholic friend and looked forward to the pilgrimage for the educational and historical value.
Built atop the barracks of Constantine’s pagan enemies and consecrated in 318 after his victory over Maxentius, San Giovanni is the oldest church in the west. The Papal Cathedra (teaching seat) was placed in its interior making it the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. As such, it ranks above all other churches including St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and is sometimes referred to as the «mother of all churches».
Attractions to San Giovanni include the original bronze doors of the Curia (Roman Senate House) moved here from the Roman Forum in the seventh century. The Pope visited San Giovanni just 3 days after we were there to open The Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. For the coming Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has requested a Holy Door be designated available to people for sacred pilgrimage, so visit while you can.
Another attraction is the High Altar, which is the only altar made of wood instead of stone and encloses no relics, but is believed to be the actual wooden altar upon which St. Peter celebrated Mass during his residence in Rome. Carefully preserved through the years of persecution, it was brought by Constantine to San Giovanni where it would become the principle altar of the cathedral church of Rome. Above the High Altar is the baldacchino, a Gothic structure resting on four marble columns, and said to house the preserved heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
Another draw to San Giovanni is the 1000 pound gilded silver bas-​relief of the Last Supper enshrined in cedar, said to have been part of the table used at the Last Supper. Finally, the obelisk outside of the basilica is the largest standing Egyptian Obelisk in the world. It was originally designated for Constantinople, but after Constantine died, was brought to Rome where it stands today.
Most of Italy’s churches include small tour guide listening stations that for 2 euro will give 2 listeners 10 – 15 minutes of commentary on the history and salient points of a particular site. They’re worth the time and small cost to know the significance of what you’re looking at. We sought them out everywhere.
We visited the small gift shop in the basilica and purchased better quality crosses and rosaries than I saw displayed at any of the souvenir shops or vendor booths outside. You can pick up cheap stuff outside, but for the special people in my life, I purchased rosaries from one of the major basilicas because they were more authentic.
San Giovanni in Laterno is a must-​see if churches are on your agenda for Rome.

Commonly known as St. John Lateran Archbasilica.
The cathedral church of Rome and the official episcopal seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Roman Pontiff. It is the oldest and ranks first among the five Papal Basilicas of the world and the four Major Basilicas of Rome, being the oldest church in the West and having the Cathedra of the Bishop of Rome. It has the title of ecumenical mother church among Roman Catholics.
The large inscription on the façade reads in Latin: Clemens XII Pont Max Anno V Christo Salvatori In Hon SS Ioan Bapt et Evang; which is translated as «Pope Clement XII, in the fifth year of his reign, dedicated this building to Christ the Savior, in honor of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist».
The Archbasilica was originally dedicated to Christ the Savior, with the co-​dedications to the two St. Johns being made centuries later. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, it ranks above all other churches in the Catholic Church, including St. Peter’s Basilica. For that reason, unlike all other Catholic basilicas, it is titled Archbasilica.

Let me start off by saying that I’m biased towards this amazing cathedral, because this is where I took First Communion and where I was Confirmed. I remember it well as a kid, because of how massive everything was, and in my adulthood, I wondered whether it could have been a child’s memory lensing.
Having gone back recently, I came away more awed than before. The structure itself is massive, dating back to the early 300’s AD, having been given to the Bishop of Rome by Emperor Constantine I (Constantine the Great). This is the «Archbasilica» of the Roman Catholic world, ranking above all other churches and cathedrals and is the «Mother and Head of all churches in Rome and in the World». The architecture inside is stunning in its detail, and the history surrounding the existence of this cathedral is worth reading into before setting foot inside.
I can only put this on a «must visit» list for anyone traveling to Rome, of any faith. The history, splendor, beauty, and peace found here will contrast mightily with life outside the walls, and in our fast-​paced world will provide a soothing respite and period of reflection, even if only for an afternoon.

The BEST church in Rome! From outside, you would think just another church with fancy ceiling art work. WRONG! The moment I walked in… only one word to describe … «WOW»!!!
Inside is just like a museum! Many different rooms for services. There is a self-​guided tour outside courtyard with small fee. There are different statues inside the church. The detail of all the decorations are fascinating.
There is gifts shop inside the church. I know… it is so commercial. That is why I said it is more like a museum than church.
If you only have time to see one church, THIS GOT TO BE IT! You will not regret, after seeing this church, all other churches won’t impress you anymore.

Lo que voy a decir es una frikada pero, aparte de entenderla como la catedral de Roma y una obra de arte por sí misma, lo que más me gustó fueron las enormes estatuas de los apóstoles a los lados de la nave principal porque me recordaron a los efectos especiales de Harrihausen y en mi mente se iban a poner a caminar en cualquier momento mientras aplastan a los pecadores.
Como curiosidad, al ser el propio Papa también el máximo sacerdote de la ciudad, solo él puede dar misa desde su altar, el cual tiene un baldaquino magnífico que rivaliza con el de San Pedro.

Location: 20-​minute walk from the Colosseum. You can visit both San Clemente and San Giovanni in the same day — they’re about 10-​minutes apart from each other on foot.
The place: Because the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome, this church is Rome’s ‘official’ cathedral (this is because this church is the seat of the Bishop’s residence). San Giovanni very much resembles St. Peter’s basilica. Now, what did I think? WOW! What a beautiful (and HUGE) church! Architecturally and visually stunning — those are the best words I can use to describe it. If you love art, history and architecture, or you are simply devout, then this is a must-​see church. I spent about two hours taking photos here, and I probably could have stayed longer because it is that impressive. For the first few minutes after I entered the church, I stood there with my mouth hanging open because I was in awe of the magnificence that was before me. I mean seriously, it’s an architectural feat.
Price point: Free entry.
One of the things that I enjoyed about visiting this church was its size — you can walk freely and at your leisure without anyone invading your space, so it’s a nice break from the madness of Centro Storico.

Diese Kirche ist wirklich sehr beeindruckend. Besonders day Mosaik in der Apsis hat es mir angetan. Meinem Reiseführer konnte ich entnehmen, dass die Mitteltüren aus der Kurie auf dem Forum Romanum stammen. Auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert!
Weil der Lateran zum Vatikan gehört, bekommt man im Souvenirshop zu den günstigen Postkarten Briefmarken der Poste Vaticane.

This an awesome church to visit. It is very large with a lot of history. Walking up to it and after you enter, this church is impressive. It is worth an hour to two just to wonder around & look the fabulous statutes.

Gorgeous must-​see when you’re in Rome. Absolutely stunning art inside and breath-​taking in its size and opulence. It’s well worth the trek over. Also it’s a great place to buy souvenirs for very cheap prices.

Basilica di San Giovanni aka St. John Basilca Lateran. This was another le must visit on the two pilgrimages I went to in 2007. The Franciscan group had the honor of having a daily mass in one of the chapels/​knaves which is generally closed off to the public. Of course, we were seeking any images of St. Francis. (The Salesian group had the general tour, no mass said; the Catacombs is where their daily mass would be said.) This place has some really great Baroque art.
This used to be the home base of the Pope and the city church of Rome. Lots of history. I remembered when I first walked into Baisilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, I was taken in by the twelve statues of the apostles. I could hear Handel’s Messiah and Hallelujah when the word «Wedgewood» popped into my head. The white marble of the statues and the blue background evoked visions of the famous Wedgewood blue and white china. I took my time meditating and viewing the twelve giant statues of the apostles. The apostle statue of St. Andrew with his «X» shaped cross was my absolute favourite.
At the moment, I do not remember under which overhead tomb of one of the popes on either side surrounding the altar, there is a souvenir shop. Walk below under the tomb. It was somewhat awkward to realize that this is how much of the revenue is generated. Awkward. And there is another souvenir shop on another side of the knave. Weird.
When I came back with the Salesians, I begged the principal tour manager and the priest to let me go by myself to the Basilica, I did not feel like going next door to attempt the stairs; I did not feel safe there. Not to mention, there had been a history of pickpocketing gypsies over there. (When I went with the Franciscans to the church next door, I ran out the door the moment we walked in the door by pestering gypsies.) I wanted to see my favourite «Wedgewood» statues of the apostles for a real long visit and meditation without the time component of the tour and the annoying rude tour guide presiding over the group giving the tour of the Vatican and the Basilica.
This is another one of the places I do declare in Roma, «I shall return.»
Fresh Review #5 of 100 Unilocal!for 2013.

An incredible church, this is the Pope’s «home base» in Rome and the first legal Christian church in Rome. It was founded by Constantine way back in the day, so there has been a church on this site for something like 1700+ years.
The architecture here is truly incredible, with a massive nave, a beautifully coffered ceiling and frescoes everywhere. The side chapels are filled with beautiful works of art and offer a quiet place to sit and rest.
Cool fact: the massive center bronze doors are the original Roman Senate house doors. Think about all the people that passed through them… many popes, kings, Julius Caesar, Cicero, and you… if they are open.
Next door is the Lateran palace — home to the popes until they moved to the Vatican, and now a museum with limited hours. Visiting this basilica is taking a trip back to the earliest history of the Church and to me, sometimes feels more accessible than St. Peter’s.

Amazing architecture and a huge courtyard. I was fortunate to visit and sit in on one of Benedictus’ XVI mass’. It was scorching hot and 2 hours, but sit it out and you can have any religious relics blessed by him at the end. He even speaks in 7 different languages (Latin, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Italian).
Amongst all of the celebrities I’ve ever seen, I mean EVER, the pope was by far the coolest (And I’m not even Catholic), but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.
If you get a chance, visit their website and see when he’s having mass, and if you’re in Rome at that time, take advantage of it and see him.

Eglise qui appartient au Pape. C’est ma préférée à Rome! Dommage qu’elle soit un peu excentrée.

Très belle église !
Même si à Rome, il y a beaucoup d’églises à visiter, celle-​ci vaut vraiment le détour. Elle est magnifique intérieure et extérieure. Le choeur est sublime, vraiment à voir !

Es la Catedral de Roma, donde se encuentra la sede episcopal del Obispo de Roma (el Papa). Está dedicada a Cristo Salvador, sin embargo es más conocida con el nombre de San Juan, debido a que tanto Juan Evangelista como Juan Bautista indicaron al Salvador.
Es impresionante entrar a la nave central y ver unas inmensas estatuas de los apóstoles.

Im Gegensatz um Petersdom finde ich hier ein bisschen Ruhe.
Schon in der Antike durfte kein Kaiser sagen: Mein Rom. Rom gehörte niemandem. Auch keinem Kaiser.
Daher ist es ein sehr schöner Brauch geworden, sich eine einzige Sache in Rom rauszusuchen. Etwas das einen ganz persönlichen, ja fast intimen Bezug zu einem Selbst hat. Und von dieser einen einzigen Sache darf man dann sagen: Das ist mein Stück von Rom.
In San Giovanni gibt es irgendwo versteckt mein Stück von Rom. Und es ist winzig. Aber meins. Und wenn Du die Augen offen hast kannst Du es golden funkeln sehen, weil es wunderbar poliert ist von den vielen Menschen die es schon berührt haben.

Die Lateran Basilika ist Kirchenhierarchisch die wichtigste Kirche in Rom und noch heute der offizielle Papstsitz und nicht der Petersdom wie viele denken. Dazu ist sie noch eine der z7 Pilgerkirchen in rom.
Sie enthält wunderbare Statuen und einen wunderschönen Kreuzgang.
Schräg gegenüber von der Kirche findet man die Scala Santa.

Auch wenn es eine der wenigen Stellen in Rom ist, die mal ein bißchen weiter weg ist, unbedingt hinfahren!
Tolle Kirche, auch auf die Papstmosaike oben an der Decke achten!

eine der wichtigsten Kirchen in Rom — eines der heiligen tore, die im jubliaeumsjahr vom papst geoeffnet werden.(next: Jahr 2025). und. weniger christlich, aber DAS event in rom: 1. Mai Konzert GRATIS auf dem platz vor der kirche

the basilica of san giovanni in laterano is rome’s cathedral and the seat of the bishop of rome
its official name translates as ‘basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, St. John Baptist & St. John the Evangelist
— the original buildings on the site were erected by emperor constantine early 4c and this was the focal point of christian life in rome
… however there have been various reincarnations over the years due to destruction by fire and earthquake — most of the present structure was built between the 17/​18c
— the basilica contains frescos by giotto /​bronze doors from the senate at the imperial forum /​the altar of the holy sacrament contains what is said to be the cedar table used at the last supper
the crypt is the final resting place of 6 previous popes (bishops of rome)
open daily 07.00 — 18.00 — metro station nearby

L’Arichibasilique du Très-​Saint-​Sauveur est la plus ancienne église, donc elle est la mère et tête de toutes les églises de Rome et du Monde.
Située au Sud-​Est de Rome, à proximité des remparts, est la cathédrale de Rome, le Pape en est l’évêque.
Saint Jean de Latran a été fondée au IVème siècle par l’empereur Constantin, sur les terres de la famille des Laterani.
C’est un monument exceptionnel, car aujourd’hui encore, seule la basilique Saint Pierre de Rome la dépassé en taille.
L’édifice actuel datant principalement du XVIIème siècle, est incroyablement majestueux !!
Hormis sa grande importance historique, il regorge de beautés comme par exemple la façade principale de style baroque et la seconde façade en travertin.
Venez admirer les portes qui sont surmontée d’une loggia, elle-​même surmontée d’une balustrade portant 15 monumentales statues de 7 mètres de haut, qui représentent des docteurs de l’église, Saint Jean, Saint Jean et le Christ au centre.
Né rater pas la porte centrale en bronze qui provient de l’antiquité (Sénat romain) et la porte latérale droite, est la porte Sainte qui n’est ouverte que les années Saintes: de véritables chefs d’oeuvres.
L’intérieur est de style baroque: vous y verrez les 5 arcades de la nef de 130 m, les larges niches abritant les statues monumentales des 12 apôtres, le superbe sol, de style cosmatesque du XVème siècle et le plafond en bois sculpté et doré du XVIème siècle.
A la croisée du transept, vous trouverez l’autel gothique papal et son baldaquin du XIVème siècle: Absolument Waaaooouh !!
L’abside est décorée d’une très belle mosaïque du IVème siècle chargée de symboles: A VOIR
De la nef, moyennant une petite obole, vous pourrez accéder au magnifique cloître gothique datant du XIIIème siècle.
N’oubliez pas le jardin et sa jolie mosaïque cosmatesque, le baptistère octogonal datant du IVème siècle de l’époque de l’empereur Constantin, est accessible en ressortant de Saint Jean de Latran par la façade latérale.

die Lateranenbasilika ist ein weiterer Höhepunkt eines Rom Ausfluges.
Der Lateran bezeichnet einen Bereich in Rom, der seit der Zeit Konstantins I. der offizielle Sitz der Päpste ist.
Die Ausmaße Basilika ist sehr beeindruckend, ähnlich denen des Petersdoms, aber nur ähnlich. Das Kirchenschiff mit den Statuen und der goldenen Decke sowie die Malereien sind wunderschön.
Diese Basilika war lange Zeit Sitz des Papstes noch bis zum 19. Jahrhundert wurden die Päpste hier gekrönt.
Weiter hinten befindet sich der bekannte Kreuzgang mit den verschiedenen Säulen.
Ich war auch Sonntags während eines Gottesdienstes dort, tolle Atmosphäre.
So nach 3 Minuten meines Videos kommt die Basilika, darauf lassen sich die Ausmaße und Pracht relativ gut erkennen.
Für mich ein fester Bestandteil meines Rom Urlaubes.
Thilo-​W. Finger
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