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Home > Italy Travel Guide > Basilica of St. John Lateran Travel Guide

Basilica of St. John Lateran Travel Guide

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Introduction
History
Location

ATTRACTIONS

Holy Steps
Lateran cloister
Lateran baptistry
Papal Tombs

USEFUL INFORMATION

Links

Introduction

The Basilica of St. John Lateran ? in Italian, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano ? is the cathedral church of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. Officially named Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris (Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior), it is the oldest and ranks first (being the only cathedral in Rome) among the four major basilicas of Rome, and holds the title of ecumenical mother church (mother church of the whole inhabited world) among Roman Catholics. The current archpriest of St. John Lateran is Camillo Cardinal Ruini, Papal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.

An inscription on the facade, Christo Salvatore, dedicates the Lateran as Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour, for all patriarchal basilicas are dedicated to Christ himself. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, containing the papal throne (Cathedra Romana), it ranks above all other churches in the Roman Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

History

It is the first cathedral of Rome, where Emperor Constantine allowed the Pope to set up the episcopal chair after 312. The first mention in ancient sources is from 313, when a consistory of bishops was held in domum Faustae in Laterano. This refers to Fausta, Constantine's second wife, who was a convert. The Popes lived in the Lateran palace until Clement V (1305-1314) transferred the papal seat to Avignon. After the return of the Pope to Rome in 1377, the Vatican palace was chosen as the papal residence.

The property belonged to the Laterani family, but when they fell from grace it was confiscated. Constantine gave it to the church, and the church was built. It was first known as the Basilica Salvatoris, Basilica of the Saviour. The present name is a result of the importance of the baptistry in the church, and of the presence of a Benedictine monastery dedicated to Sts John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. At an early stage, it was also called the Basilica Aurea, the Golden Basilica, because of its rich decorations.

The basilica was sacked by the Vandals in the 5th century, and restored by Pope St Gregory c. 460. The first major restoration was ordered by Pope Saint Sergius (687-701). It was restored again within a century, by Pope Hadrian I (772-779).
In 897, the basilica was the scene of the "cadaver synod", when Pope Stephen VI (896-897) had the body of Pope Formosus (891-896) exhumed and put on a mock trial. The corpse was convicted and desecrated. During the synod, the basilica was ominously severely damaged by an earthquake.

Pope Sergius III (904-911) had the basilica completely rebuilt because of the earthquake damage. The old foundations were used, and it was built within the old perimeter. It was after this rebuilding that it was formally dedicated to St John the Baptist. The additional dedication to St John the Evangelist was made by Pope Lucius II (1144-1145).

On May 6th 1308, the basilica was totally destroyed by fire. Pope Clement V (1305-1314) started rebuilding it, but it was destroyed by fire again in 1360. Pope Urban V (1362-1370) commissioned Giovanni Stefano to rebuild it. Pope Eugene IV (1431-1447) decided to rebuild parts of it.

In 1646, the basilica was in danger of collapsing. Pope Innocent X gave the task of restoring it to Borromini, in preparation for the Holy Year of 1650. It was during Borromini's restoration that the church was given its Baroque look; it no longer looks like ancient basilica. Only the gilded ceiling and the Cosmatesque floor were kept; the former has since been restored and altered considerably. The dimensions were not changes much, the present church measuring 130 by 54 metres.

Some changes were made in 1884, when Pope Leo XIII had the Vespignianis, father and son, extend the choir and and move the apse mosaics. At around the same time, possibly from 1880, excavations were carried out which revealed remains of earlier buildings below the basilica.

Further excavations were carried out 1934-1938. It was revealed that the basilica was built on the foundations of the barracks of the equites singulares, part of Maxentius' army. This adds another factor to the choice of the site; by demolishing the barracks of his enemy and erecting a Christian basilica over the foundations, Constantine's victory was made even more complete.

Location

Via Vittorio Emanuele Filiberto (main entrance); Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano (side entrance).

Holy Steps

A famous papal sanctuary located adjacent to the Basilica, the Holy Staircase is believed to be the actual steps that Jesus climbed the day He was sentenced to death. Tradition holds that the stairs were ordered sent from Jerusalem to Rome by Saint Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine I in 334. Though not completely documented, this has been believed for over 1,200 years, since it was first mentioned in papal documents in 844. The stairs are known as the Scala Pilati (Pilate's stairway) or the Scala Sancta (holy stairway).

It has been proven that the staircase was first located in the Patriarchum, the complex of palaces that was the ancient seat of popes. In 1589, Pope Sixtus V had it located to its present location in front of the ancient palatine chapel (the Sancta Sactorum). Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) restored the staircase, and promoted its veneration as one of Christianity's great relics. The pope climbed the 28 steps on his knees many times, an act of veneration done that was done traditionally then, and continues to this day. A prayer related to the passion of Jesus Christ is recited upon each of the 28 steps.

Lateran cloister

Between the basilica and the city wall there was in former times the great monastery, in which dwelt the community of monks whose duty it was to provide the services in the basilica. The only part of it which still survives is the cloister, surrounded by graceful columns of inlaid marble. They are of a style intermediate between the Romanesque proper and the Gothic, and are the work of Vassellectus and the Cosmati. This beautiful cloister dates to the early 13th century.

Lateran baptistry

The octagonal Lateran Baptistry stands somewhat apart from the basilica. It was founded by Pope Sixtus III, perhaps on an earlier structure, for a legend grew up that Constantine the Great had been baptized there and enriched the structure. (He was actually baptised in the East, by an Arian bishop.) This baptistry was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome, and its octagonal structure, centered upon the large basin for full immersions provided a model for others throughout Italy, and even an iconic motif of illuminated manuscripts, “The fountain of Life”.

Papal Tombs

There are six papal tombs inside the basilica: Alexander III (right aisles), Sergius IV (right aisles), Clement XIII Corsini (left aisle), Martin V (in front of the confessio) by Simone Ghini; Innocent III (right transept); and Leo XIII (left transept), by G.Tadolini (1907). The latter was the last pope not to be entombed in St. Peter's Basilica.

Links

Catholic Encyclopedia Article on the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Illustrated Guide of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Lateran entry from “Guide to the Churches of Rome”

Satellite Photo of St. John Lateran

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