About Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the oldest Christian basilica in Rome, is the pope’s official cathedral and holds the highest rank among the city’s four major papal basilicas.

From Imperial Fort to Papal Cathedral

The basilica, built on the site of a former Roman cavalry fort demolished after Constantine I’s victory, sits on land once owned by the Laterani family and donated to the Church in the early 4^th century. Known as the Lateran, it is dedicated to Christ the Saviour and honours St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. 

Architectural Evolution

The basilica shows its rich history through a 16^th-century building, a 13^th-century cloister, and an 18^th-century neoclassical façade. These features blend medieval and neoclassical styles, together telling the story of its religious and cultural significance over many centuries. 

Artistic and Structural Highlights

Notable for its Baroque and neoclassical design, the basilica is crowned with 7m high statues of Christ and the Apostles. It houses exquisite Baroque sculptures and intricate mosaics. Its massive bronze doors, including the Holy Door from the Roman Forum, open only during Jubilee years, symbolizing spiritual renewal.