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What to do and see in San Giovanni, Lazio: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Rome wasn't built in a day--and you'll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.
Restaurants in Rome
1. Parrocchia Santa Maria Immacolata e San Giovanni Berchmans
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Cappella di San Lorenzo in Palatio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By dapper777 - Monaco, null
You have to climb the flanking staircases of the Holy Stairs to reach the Sancta Sanctorum, or what was once the chapel reserved for the popes in the ancient Patriarchy, the papal palace, built in the fourth century and used throughout the thirteenth century in the Lateran. In the old days, the papal palace was a grandiose building, and incorporated also the precious chapel built on the remains of an oratory dedicated to St. Lawrence, the "Oratorium Sancti Laurentii de Palatio". However, this medieval papal palace was demolished at the end of the 16th century by pope Sixtus V and then rebuilt in its present form by the architect Domenico Fontana. Outside the building, an apse decorated with mosaics represents what remains of the Leonian Triclinium, the dining room of Pope Leo III from the end of the eighth century, demolished in 1733 and partially rebuilt by Ferdinando Fuga. Everything was demolished and destroyed, but Sixtus V decided to save the Sancta Sanctorum, by incorporating it into the Scala Santa building, which he himself had built around the medieval chapel. Within the medieval patriarchy, the chapel was an exclusive place, intended only for a privileged few. Located in the private wing of the papal residence, the chapel housed some very venerated relics, and for this reason defined the "Holies of Holies", the sancta sanctorum, precisely. Among the numerous relics once preserved in this place, the image of the Redeemer Acheropita ('that is not painted by human hand'), which is still present above the altar (it is dated to the mid 5th century), two fragments of the cross of Jesus, his sandals, the foreskin of the Child Jesus and the tools of his passion. Many of these relics are now preserved elsewhere. The altar has a railing grid, evoking the gridiron of St. Lawrence, which protect the original wooden relic-chest installed here at the beginning of the 9th century. Above the altar is the inscription "Non est in toto sanctior orbe locus" (There is no holier place in the world than this). It is located in the Scala Santa complex, at the end of the stairs on the walls of which are frescoes depicting Stories from the Old Testament and Stories of Christ by various painters, including Giovanni Baglione, Paolo Brill and Paris Nogari. It is also called Sancta Sanctorum, because it recalls the name given to the Jews to the part of the temple in Jerusalem where the Holy Ark was kept, and which was so named because the most precious Christian relics were kept in it. Its construction dates back to the thirteenth century, it was restored by Pope Honorius III and rebuilt by Pope Nicholas III. The transfer of the Scala Santa would have taken place, however, in the years of the pontificate of Sixtus V, therefore in the sixteenth century. The frescoes that can be seen inside the chapel date back to the 13th century. The four Evangelists are depicted, Pope Nicholas III, the martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul, the "Beheading of St. Agnes" and the "Stoning-to-death of St. Stephen". The so-called "Loggia dei Santi" was, on the other hand, built by the painters Cesare Nebbia and Giovanni Guerra. The Sancta Sanctorum retains the appearance of the 1278 reconstruction by the Cosmati, with the sole exception of the figures of the saints in the little niches added in the early sixteenth century. The frescoes on the vault (the four Evangelists) and in the lunettes are splendid. The ceiling is barrel-vaulted. In the center is the Christ the King ( Pantocrator) in a large tondo supported by 4 angels. The frescoes on the vault and in the lunettes are from the 13th century, while the saints within the pointed aedicules are by Giannicola di Paola. The paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross are also noteworthy. This chapel is a rare and priceless jewel. It deserves to be visited.
3. Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,028 reviews
Known to be the first church in Christendom, this church belongs to the Vatican and has the privileges of extraterritoriality.
Reviewed By endoedibles - Las Vegas, United States
Despite popular belief that St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican holds that title, Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (or The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist) is actually the Cathedral of Rome. It is also the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world. A stunning building of immense size, visiting is recommended regardless of race or beliefs.
4. Scala Santa and Chapel of San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 772 reviews
For centuries, the Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims and visitors who wished to honor the Passion of Christ. Tradition says that originally the Holy Stairs led to the praetorium, or judgment hall, of Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem. Today, those same 28 white marble steps lead to the Sancta Sanctorum, or “Holiest of Holy Places”, the first private chapel of the Popes. Many have undergone the spiritual ritual of ascending the stairs on their knees.The Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, one of the major projects by Pope Sixtus V, encompasses 1700 m of frescoes completed in 1590. These images tell the story of both the old and new testaments while including depictions of various saints, doctors of the church and the superb landscapes by Flemish master Paul Bril.
Reviewed By 421Chris
Just amazing being on the very steps that Jesus Christ walked on... Cannot find the words to describe how I felt!
5. Battistero Lateranense
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By giorgiocannella - Rome, Italy
Today's Lateran Baptistery is housed in one of the structures of the Fausta spa house, wife of emperor Constantine. Of the original Roman structure today remain: - the monumental entrance with two splendid porphyry red columns that emperor Constantine removed from the temple of Venus begetter in the forum of Julius Caesar, - the inlays in polychrome marble on the wall of the atrium of the baptistery next to the apse of today's chapel of Saints Cipriano and Giustina, - the original floor and the frescoes in the room that today is the chapel of Saint Venanzio.
6. Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 351 reviews
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Latin: Basilica Sanctae Crucis in Hierusalem, Italian: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and titular church in rione Esquilino, Rome, Italy. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. According to tradition, the Basilica was consecrated circa 325 to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ brought to Rome from the Holy Land by St. Empress Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I. At that time, the Basilica's floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem; it is not dedicated to the Holy Cross which is in Jerusalem, but the Basilica itself is "in Jerusalem" in the sense that a "piece" of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. *During celebrations, visits to the Chapel of Relics and to the Chapel of St. Helena are not allowed.
Reviewed By tauriv - Tartu, Estonia
The relics of the cross kept here were interesting to look at even for a non religious person like me. The church is also not very crowded which makes it a nice place to admire.
7. San Giovanni a Porta Latina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
