Basilica of S. Giovanni in Laterano (Rome) | cathedral, church, Roman Catholic church

Italy / Lazio / Rome
 cathedral, church, basilica, Roman Catholic church
Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 4
00184 Roma RM, Italy


Built for Emperor Constantine but remodelled by Borromini in the 17th Century and subjected to major rebuilding in the 19th century following a fire.
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 Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. Officially named Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris ("Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour"), it is the oldest and ranks first (being the cathedral of 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, Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.

An inscription on the façade, Christo Salvatore, dedicates the Lateran as Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour, for the cathedrals of all patriarchs 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.

3D Tour: www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/i...
 Add place (company, shop, etc.) to this building
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbasilica_of_St._John_Lateran
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°53'9"N   12°30'20"E

Comments

  • Land was given to the church by the Laterani family and the basilica was dedicated in 324 a.d. The bishops of Rome, better known as the Popes, lived in the Lateran until 1309 a.d. when the Holy See was moved to Avignon. Today the Lateran is one of 5 major basilicas owned by the vatican.
  • Many people don't realize that THIS is the church of Rome, not St. Peter's basilica. This is the most important basilica of the Roman Catholic Church.