Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

The full name of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist. It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome. It is also the oldest and ranks first among the four Papal Major Basilicas in Rome: the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It holds the title of the Mother Church of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Catholic Church especially venerates the dedication day of the Archbasilica on November 9.

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is older than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. According to the treaty signed in 1929, this church was granted extraterritorial rights. This site was once the villa grounds of Roman nobility, and after the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great converted to Christianity, he donated it. The church was built in 314 AD and has always housed the Pope. In 1308, a devastating fire completely destroyed it. The current St. John Lateran Basilica was rebuilt in the 14th century, and underwent extensive renovation in the 17th century, being designed to be magnificent in beauty. At its center are statues of Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles, and to the left of the entrance stands a marble statue of Constantine the Great. The bronze doors at the central entrance originated from the Roman Senate during the Roman era.

On the left side of the square in front of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the 16th-century Scala Sancta Chapel, which houses the famous Holy Stairway consisting of twenty-eight steps. These are the legendary steps that Jesus climbed during His trial, originally located in Jerusalem. During the reign of Emperor Constantine, they were brought here from Jerusalem by his mother’s order. Observing the devout believers kneeling and ascending the steps is truly a testament to the great power of faith.

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Must-visit reason: The most important church in global Catholicism

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City where the attraction is located: Rome [Rome]