The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, commonly known as the Lateran Basilica or Saint John Lateran, is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome, Italy. It serves as the seat
Main façade by Alessandro Galilei
Next to the formal entrance is the archbasilica's declaration to be the head, or Mother Church, of the entire world, encircled by the laurel wreath and the Papal tiara.
The papal cathedra, the presence of which renders the archbasilica the cathedral of Rome, is located in its apse. The decorations are in cosmatesque style.
The high altar and the 14th-century Gothic ciborium. The relic of the original wooden altar used by Saint Peter comprises the high altar. Above the ciborium are statues of SS Peter and Paul.
As the home of the Pope and the Catholic Curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to apostles, saints and Christian martyrs, Rome had long been a destination for pilg
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran
…Palace was the primary residence of the pope until the Middle Ages. The church is the oldest of the four major papal basilicas, and it is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica in the Western world. It houses the cathedra of the Roman…
Seven Churches of Rome, copper engraving 1575
Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano
Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura