BASILICA DI SAN GIOVANNI IN LATERANO

One of the oldest churches in the world (311) is the seat of the Archdiocese of Rome.

Until the early ^14th century, when the popes moved to Avignon, the Lateran was the seat of the Papal Administration. We owe the Mannerist and Baroque Lateran we see today to Sixtus V (1585-1590). Since Henry IV, who made generous offerings to the basilica, the head of the French state has been a canon of the Lateran. A statue of the good king stands beneath the entrance portico.

The façade, dating from 1738, is much later than the interior. It was designed by Alessandro Galilei. On the right, the Holy Door is only opened in jubilee years (it will be in 2025).

The transept, reworked by Giacomo della Porta and the Cavalier d'Arpin between 1597 and 1601, is the most striking example of Roman Mannerism. Jacopo Torriti's ^13th-century mosaics are a masterpiece of medieval art.

The Baptistery. Founded by Constantine in the ^4th century, it is separate from the church, as catechumens were not allowed access to the sanctuary. It was in the^5th century that the porphyry columns at the center of the building were installed. Take a look at the adjoining chapels: those of Saint-Venance, Sainte-Rufine and Seconde, as well as that of Saint-Jean: ancient mosaics have been preserved here. Leaving the baptistery, you pass the pink granite obelisk, brought from Egypt to be placed in the Circus Maximus and transported here by Sixtus V.

The Scala Santa, not far from the basilica, was built by Carlo Fontana for Sixtus V in 1590, on the site of and reusing the remains of what had been the papal oratory in the old Lateran palace, and recovering the venerated relics. In particular, the Scala Santa, the staircase believed to have been climbed by Christ. This staircase was miraculously transported to the Lateran by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine. Sixtus V had it installed in 1589. The other major relic is an icon depicting Christ. On the outside wall, a mosaic depicts Jesus giving the keys to Pope Sylvester and the imperial insignia to Constantine.

Piazza San Giovanni has been under construction for several months. Remains of medieval walls (^9th-13th centuries) have been discovered during these restructuring operations. Work will be suspended in 2025 for the jubilee year. It will resume in 2026.

Jubilee year 2025: opening of the Porta Santa on December 29, 2024.