San Giovanni Laterno

Doug was wanting to get to this major basilica which was 'washed out' on our last trip.

Although being rebuilt a few times due to earthquakes and fires, this is the oldest church in Europe. Founded during the fourth century in honour of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, St John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the Cathedral of Rome, in other words, the 'home' cathedral of the Pope, and therefore the most important of the four 'papal' basilicas. It is known as an Archbasilica, as is it considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful. It is huge, and in fact was the largest church in Rome until St. Peter's. The interior is magnificent with colossal statues, built into the impressive columns. The mosaic in the apse was partly destroyed in a fire, but reconstructed to the original appearance.Read more