Christian Rome
Our day begins with the visit of the Lateran complex, built by the emperor Constantine over the barracks of his mounted guards and donated to Pope Silvester I.
For centuries the palace has been the official papal residence and the basilica is still Rome’s cathedral today.
The Basilica of Saint John in Lateran has been destroyed and rebuilt several times but is still rich in spiritual and artistic treasures.
We then move on to the V century baptistery, the oldest in Rome, and from here we cross the square to enter the 16th century building that houses two surviving parts of the old Lateran Palace: the pope’s private chapel, the Sancta Sanctorum and the holy staircase, the Scala Santa.
The 28 steps said to be those that Christ ascended in Pontius Pilate’s palace for his trial.
We reach to the Esquiline hill, the largest of the Rome’s seven hills. The area’s main interest lies in its churches, we visit the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas of Rome, founded according to tradition in the year 358 after a miraculous August snowfall.
It is the most important cult place of Mary in Rome and is the basilica that has best preserved the atmosphere of an early Christian church with resplended, glittering mosaics.
HIGHLIGHTS: Lateran complex with Rome’s cathedral, the Baptistery and the Holy Staircase – Basilica of St. Mary Major
DURATION: 3 hours
NO ADMISSION FEES
DURATION: 3 hours
NO ADMISSION FEES
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