The Basilica Di San Giovanni in Laterano(The Basilica of St. John Lateran) is the first among the four major basilicas of Rome.It is also the cathedral of the bishop of Rome and is thus known as Omnium urbis et orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput: "Cathedral of Rome and of the World."
San Giovanni in Laterano was the first church to be built in Rome. It was built in 4th century by Constantine the Great.It was dedicated to the Savior on November 9, 318.
The church undergoes a number of restructuring because of war, earthquake or it was vandalized. The present church today was remodelled and completed in 1735.
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| multilingual confessional |
The Pope being the bishop of Rome gives his benediction on Maundy Thursday at the two storied portico on the basilica's facade. The large statues of Christ and the saints on the top of the facade dates back from the 18th century.
The central bronze doors are Roman originals from the Curia (Senate House) in the Imperial Forum.
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| the main door |
Upon entering the basilica, you will be awed with the wide nave with its 14th century Cosmatesque pavement. There are also giant 17th century statues on both sides of the nave.
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| the oval shape end of the nave |
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| the nave |
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| Statues of Saints aligned on both sides of the nave |
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| the Cosmatesque pavement |
The High Altar beneath the baldacchino can only be used by the Pope. It contains a relic said to be part of St. Peter's communion table. At the top is the reliquary said to contain the heads of Saints Peter and Paul.
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| notice the priest celebrating mass on the podium beside the High Altar |
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| close up shot of the reliquary |
They said that the Altar of the Holy Sacrament contains a cedar table was used by Christ at the Last Supper and the marble and bronze columns were taken from the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.
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| Altar of the Holy Sacrament |
Just before the baldachino is the Tomb of Pope Martin V with the statue of San Giovanni.
How to go to the basilica:
Take Metro Line A (red line) for Anagnina then alight at San Giovanni station. When going out at the station take the Via Appia exit. You will see the Porta San Giovanni Laterano. Take that direction and pass through the Porta, the basilica is on your right.
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| Porta San Giovanni |
My blog on the other Major Basilicas:
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