Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is located in Rome, Italy, and is one of the four Papal Major Basilicas of the Roman Catholic Church. The other three are the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This basilica was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I and was built over the burial site of Saint Paul.

The portico in front of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls was constructed during the church’s rebuilding in the 19th century. The 20th-century main gate incorporates elements from the old church’s original entrance. On the right side of the gate is the Holy Door (opened only on Jubilee years). Additionally, the new church retained the structure of the old one—a single nave with four aisles. The eighty columns of the nave and the ornate ceiling date back to the 19th century. Only the apse survived the fire that destroyed the original church, and the mosaics within it were the work of Pietro Cavallini, which were severely damaged during the fire. The 5th-century mosaics inside the new church are remnants from the original structure after the fire. Moreover, the columns in the old church featured bas-reliefs portraying portraits of various popes.

To the south of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls lies the monastery, once referred to as “one of the most beautiful buildings of the Middle Ages.” The monastery features double columns of various shapes, some of which are inlaid with golden and multicolored mosaics, adding to its beauty.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Reason to visit: One of the four most famous Papal Major Basilicas of the Roman Catholic Church

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Italy[Italy]

Province/State: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City: Rome [Rome]