Worth a DetourSight · Sacred SiteFree

St. John Lateran

The cathedral of Rome and the mother church of the Catholic world, with the Holy Stairs across the road.

Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0
Open
Every day
Price
Free; a small fee for the cloister
Time Needed
1 hour
Address
Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano 4, 00184 RomeDirections
Getting There
San Giovanni station (Metro lines A and C).

Why Go

Founded in the 4th century, St. John Lateran is the pope's own cathedral, ranked above every other church, St Peter's included. Giant statues of the apostles line its nave.

Across the road, pilgrims climb the Scala Sancta on their knees; tradition holds these are the stairs Jesus climbed to Pontius Pilate's palace.

Tips

  • Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Nearby in Rome

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Campania
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1 Sight

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