The Basilica of St John Lateran Is one of the four most important of the Seven
Pilgrim Churches of Rome, along with St Peters
Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in
Vaticano), San Paolo Fuori Le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls), and Santa Maria
Maggiore (Saint Mary Major). Faithful who traveled the ancient pilgrimage route,
Via Francigena, that runs from Canterbury, England,
and through France and Switzerland
to Rome were expected to visit at least these four churches at the end of their
journey.
Rome's Cathedral of St. John is dedicated to both John the Baptist and John
the Evangelist. Its name is Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano in Italian,
and it was originally built by Constantine the Great in the fourth century as
the first Christian church built in the city. The "Lateran" in the name refers
to the site, which once was the location of the Laterani family palace. Constantine
envisioned this as Rome's Cathedral (also known as the "Mother of all Churches")
and it maintained its exclusive standing until the Popes returned to the city
in 1377 after their long residence in Avignon, France. The Vatican then became
their official residence, as it was situated in a drier and healthier location.
There is an obelisk from the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt
standing in the square in front of the church.
Rome's Cathedral was first dedicated by Constantine in the year 318 AD. Only
the baptistery still survives from this time period in its original form. The
church became the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano when Pope Sergius III
dedicated it to John the Baptist in the tenth century. Pope Lucius II added
John the Evangelist in the twelfth century. The Basilica of St John Lateran
was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in 896. A new church was built
on the site, and it was extensively damaged by fires, especially in the years
1308 and 1360. When the Popes returned from France, extensive rebuilding and
remodeling began, lasting until 1735, resulting in the magnificent structure
we see today. The famous façade was designed by Alessandro Galilei, who also
designed stately homes in Ireland, England, and churches in Florence,
Italy. The façade is fairly stark by the Roman standards of the time, and
it caused quite a bit of controversy because of this. It later gained admirers
(especially those in Georgian England and Ireland) in northern Europe, and is
greatly admired today.
While the Basilica of St John Lateran is well outside the boundaries of Vatican
City (which is actually a separate, independent country), special dispensation
allows it to be part of the Holy See. It was, in fact, the 1929 Treaty of Lateran,
the agreement between the Catholic Church and the country of Italy, that granted
full sovereignty to the Holy See. This is also the case for several other sacred
churches in Rome. As Rome's Cathedral and the "Mother Church" that is the oldest
and most important church in Catholicism, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
is still an active church. Some of the best examples of fourth century art and
architecture are contained in it, including its central Roman bronze doors that
came from the Senate Houses in the Imperial Forum, and the statue of Constantine
the Great, which was found in the Baths of Diocletian. A cedar table within
the ornate altar is reputedly the actual table used by the Christ during his
Last Supper in Jerusalem. Other
sacred relics include a reliquary said to contain the heads of Saints Peter
and Paul and what is said to be part of St. Peter's communion table. The latter
is on the High Altar, which can only be used by the Pope.