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General information
| Destination |
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| Rome, Italy |
Program details
Highlights- Religious and art relevance: this is the Lateran Complex
- Discover the oldest Basilica in Christendom with his neo-classical facade, larger-than-life marble statues and a gothic altar
- Admire the magnificent Lateran Baptistery, a place with a unique atmosphere
- Marvel at the Holy Stairs: Medieval legends claim that Saint Helena brought the Holy Stairs from Jerusalem to Rome
- Look up to the Lateran Obelisk is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world
Admire the Lateran Complex can both amaze and intimidate. The archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest basilica in Christendom (groundbreaking - AD 4th century) and it houses the cathedral of the Roman bishop. As the Cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, it ranks superior to all other churches of the Roman Catholic Church, including Saint Peter's Basilica. The building was restored in the 1700s and is stunningly decorated in various styles. Larger-than-life marble statues of Jesus and various saints stand imperiously on the roof of the imposing neo-Classical facade.
The nave welcomes you in beneath vaulted ceil-ings: you can admire as sunlight streams in through high windows. The décor is intricate, beautiful and varied: there are massive mosaics depicting biblical scenes, larger-than-life marble statues, a gothic altar and Renaissance artwork. As one of the Papal major basilicas in Rome, inside the Basilica you'll find the Holy Door: it sealed by mortar and cement from the inside and opened during Jubilee years designated by the Pope.
Just in front of the Basilica, the Holy Stairs: the 28 steps of the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) have been traditionally identified as the very same ascended by Jesus in Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem. Brought to Rome by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine they lead up to the Sancta Sanctorum and are considered to be so holy that believers may be seen climb-ing them on their knees.
A few steps we have two other wonders to admire: the Obelisk and the Lateran Baptistery. The Obelisk is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world and it is also the tallest obelisk in Italy. The emperor Constantius II had the Lateran obelisk shipped to Rome when he made his only visit there in 357. The Lateran Baptistery is the oldest monumental baptistery, as it was built at the behest of Emperor Constantine as a place where the Christian community could solemnly celebrate the sacraments of initiation. The Baptistery is therefore presented as a building of the fifth century, which has the particularity of never having ceased to perform that function for which it was built, that is, Baptism.