The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is Rome’s cathedral and the seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. Although St. Peter’s Basilica is better known, St. John Lateran holds the highest rank among Rome’s four papal major basilicas. Its monumental façade declares it the mother and head of the churches of Rome and the world.
Founded under Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, the basilica has been damaged, rebuilt and remodelled over a long history. The adjoining Lateran Palace served as a papal residence for roughly a thousand years, and the Lateran Councils met in the complex. Much of the interior reflects Francesco Borromini’s 17th-century remodelling, while Alessandro Galilei designed the imposing 18th-century façade.
Inside, colossal statues of the Apostles fill niches along the vast nave, beneath a gilded ceiling and above an intricate marble floor. The Gothic canopy over the papal altar is associated with relics of Saints Peter and Paul. Allow time for the 13th-century cloister, with its twisted columns and mosaic inlay, and the nearby octagonal Lateran Baptistery. Across the square, pilgrims ascend the Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, on their knees.
For a quieter visit, come on a weekday morning and check the schedule for Masses and religious holidays. The basilica is a short walk from San Giovanni station on Metro Line A. Entry to the church is free, though the cloister charges admission; as it is a working church, cover your shoulders and knees.