rmarinello/DepositphotosThe Basilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest basilica in the world and is the highest-ranking of the four papal basilicas in Rome – including St. Peter’s in the Vatican. It’s not only a place of historical importance, but it’s also beautiful to behold and an unmissable stop in your Roman itinerary.
Highlights
Tickets & Prices
Entrance to the Basilica of St. John Lateran is free, but there are small fees to pay if you want to visit the cloister or the museum of the Lateran treasury.
Remember to wear appropriate footwear and to have your knees and shoulders covered, as this is a holy site.
Tickets for the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
If you want to get the most out of your visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the attractions in the surrounding area, we suggest you consider this all-inclusive ticket. Here’s what you’ll get:
- An audio guide with two hours of content in either English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
- Access to the Scala Sancta and the Sancta Sanctorum.
- Access to the Cloister.
- Access to the Baptistery.
- Access to the Museum of the Lateran Treasury.
Simply select a date and book online. You’ll get instant ticket delivery directly to your email, which you can then show to the ORP desk (on the left-hand side of the Lateran corridor inside the basilica) on your smartphone on the day of your visit.
Save With City Passes
Want to visit St. John Lateran & other top attractions? A city pass can save you money and time.
Roma Pass
Get two free attractions and 72 hours of free transit.
Omnia Card
Tour the Vatican and ride Rome by bus, for 24 or 72 hours.
Plan Your Visit
The basilica is open every day. Entry to the main nave is free.
The Cloister is closed on Sundays and on the following Vatican holidays: April 5–6, May 1 and 14, June 29, August 14–16, November 1–2, and December 24–27 and 31.
| Area | Day | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basilica | Daily | 7:00 – 18:30 |
| Baptistery | Daily | 9:00 – 19:00 |
| Museum | Daily | 9:00 – 17:30 |
| Cloister | Daily | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Lateran Palace | Monday – Saturday | 9:00 – 17:00 |
The Scala Sancta runs on a split schedule:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:00–14:00 and 15:00–19:00
- Sundays and public holidays: 7:00–14:00 and 15:00–19:00
- From November to March, the evening session closes at 18:30
Hours can change around religious events and public holidays. Check the official website before you go.
Mass is held at regular intervals throughout the day. During services, parts of the nave may be off-limits for sightseeing.
The basilica sits at Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, just inside the Aurelian Walls, roughly 2 km east of the Colosseum.
- Metro: Lines A and C both stop at San Giovanni station. From Termini, it’s three stops on Line A. The basilica is a 5-minute walk from the exit.
- Tram: Line 3 stops at Porta S. Giovanni/Carlo Felice, on the piazza directly in front.
- Bus: Routes 16, 81, 85, 87, 117, 665, and 792 all run to the piazza.
If you’re combining the visit with the Colosseum, the walk takes around 25 minutes along Via dei Laterani. The metro is faster, but the route is quiet and easy to follow on foot.
The main nave of the basilica is wheelchair accessible. The entrance is level, and the interior is easy to navigate throughout.
The Scala Sancta is not accessible to wheelchair users. The 28 stairs must be climbed on your knees, and there is no ramp or lift alternative.
San Giovanni metro station has limited elevator access. If mobility is a concern, the bus is the more reliable option: several routes stop directly on the piazza.
What to See and Do
The Basilica of St. John Lateran and the surrounding area are packed full of historical and religious attractions, as well as magnificent works of art and architecture. Here are just some of the things you shouldn’t miss.
The Basilica Interior
e55evu/DepositphotosUpon entering the basilica, you’ll be awestruck by its sheer scale and magnificence, and you can spend hours marveling at its every detail.
As you admire Borromini’s architectural skills, take a look at the twelve niches on the sides, each one holding a sculpture of an apostle. For those who know a little about religious art, you may be able to recognize them by the symbols they are represented with.
As you walk through the church, don’t forget to look up at the ceiling. The panels of gilded wood were made by Giacomo della Porta, based on a design by his mentor, Michelangelo. The central bronze doors originally came from the Senate in the Roman Forum.
The basilica is also the final resting place of six different popes. There used to be twelve more tombs, but they were destroyed in a fire. Pope John X (914-928), although his tomb no longer exists, was the first pope to be buried within the walls of Rome. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) was the last pope to be buried outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Scala Sancta and the Sancta Sanctorum
rarrarorro/DepositphotosJust across the street from the Basilica lies the Scala Sancta, or Holy Steps. Said to have been brought to Rome from Jerusalem during the fourth century, these are allegedly the steps that Jesus climbed up when he appeared before Pontius Pilate and was sentenced to death.
Today, you can climb up the 28 steps as well. It might sound like an easy feat, but you’ll have to do it on your knees!
Located at the top of the stairs is the Sancta Sanctorum or Holy of Holies, the original private chapel of the papacy and one of the most sacred places in the world. You can have a peek at it through a glass window.
The Cloister
dbrnjhrj/DepositphotosThe Cloister, built by Pietro Vassalletto in the 13th century, is the only part that survives of a former monastery built between the basilica and the city walls. Considered a masterpiece of Cosmatesque art, the twisted marble columns and the simple elegance of the courtyard make it a beautiful place to explore.
The Baptistery
Behind the basilica lies the octagonal structure that is the Baptistery. Founded by Pope Sixtus III, it was the very first of its kind in Rome and became the model for others throughout Italy. Legend has it that Emperor Constantine himself was baptized here.
The Treasury
The Museum of the Lateran Treasury, located inside the basilica, has one of the most important collections of liturgical art in Rome. Aside from two statues of St. John the Baptist, there are also numerous reliquaries. Don’t miss the 13th-century Lateran Cross or the relics of St. John the Evangelist and Saint Barbara.
Did You Know That: 4 Interesting Facts
- Until 1870, the basilica was the site where all the popes were enthroned.
- The pope still celebrates Holy Thursday Mass here every year.
- Even though the church is located outside of the Vatican, it still has extraterritorial status from Italy, as it belongs to the Holy See.
- The church was dedicated three different times: originally to the Most Holy Savior, Jesus Christ; then in the 9th century to St. John the Baptist. Then three centuries later to St. John the Evangelist.
History
San Giovanni in Laterano holds the title of Rome’s cathedral and the Pope’s official seat as Bishop of Rome. Despite being less famous than St. Peter’s, this is technically the most important church in the Catholic world.
4th century
Emperor Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, erected the original basilica on land formerly owned by the Lateran family. It served as the original papal residence.
4th-14th centuries
The basilica was sacked twice by Barbarians, damaged by earthquakes, and caught fire twice. It underwent constant renovation and rebuilding.
1377
After returning from exile in France, the papacy found the basilica uninhabitable. The papal residence moved to St. Peter’s in the Vatican, where it remains today.
1500s
Pope Sixtus V finalized a rebuilding project and assigned it to architect Domenico Fontana, who erected the current structure.
1600s
Baroque architect Francesco Borromini made further changes to the interior, adding twelve niches and five huge arches.
1718
The niches were filled with statues of the twelve apostles, sculpted by prominent Rococo artists.
1731
Pope Clement XII held a competition for the façade design, won by Alessandro Galilei.
1735
The façade was completed and remains unchanged today.
Present day
The basilica is considered one of Rome’s most important and beautiful churches, visited daily by pilgrims and tourists.
FAQs
Is St. John Lateran free?
Yes. Entry to the basilica itself is free. You only pay a small fee to add the cloister or the Museum of the Lateran Treasury. One all-inclusive ticket bundles the cloister, the Baptistery, the Museum of the Lateran Treasury, and the Scala Sancta with the Sancta Sanctorum, along with a two-hour audio guide.
What is the Lateran Basilica famous for?
It is Rome’s cathedral and the official seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, which technically makes it the most important church in the Catholic world and the highest-ranking of the four papal basilicas. It is also the oldest basilica in the world, founded in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine on land once owned by the Lateran family.
What is the Scala Sancta at St. John Lateran?
The Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, sit just across the street from the basilica. These 28 steps are said to have been brought to Rome from Jerusalem in the 4th century, and are believed to be the stairs Jesus climbed when he was brought before Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims still climb them on their knees. At the top is the Sancta Sanctorum, the original private chapel of the popes, which you can view through a glass window.
Is there a dress code for St. John Lateran?
Yes. This is a working holy site, so keep your knees and shoulders covered. Comfortable, appropriate footwear helps too, especially if you plan to climb the Scala Sancta on your knees.
What are the opening hours of St. John Lateran?
The basilica is open every day from 7:00 to 18:30. The cloister, the Museum of the Lateran Treasury, the Baptistery, and the Scala Sancta keep their own separate schedules, so check the times for those before you go.
Who is buried in St. John Lateran?
Six popes are buried in the basilica. Twelve more tombs once stood here but were lost to a fire. Pope John X, who died in 928, was the first pope to be buried within the walls of Rome, though his tomb no longer survives. Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903, was the last pope to be buried outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Does the Pope still use St. John Lateran?
Yes. It remains his cathedral as Bishop of Rome, and he celebrates Holy Thursday Mass here every year. The papal residence itself moved to the Vatican in 1377, after the basilica was found uninhabitable when the papacy returned from France. Nearby, the early Christian Basilica of San Clemente makes an easy add-on for anyone exploring the area.