Lateran Basilica

 

 

The Lateran basilica is one of four papal basilicas in Rome. Its full latin name is "Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris et Sanctorum Iohannis Baptistae et Evangelistae in Laterano" which translates to "Archbasilica of the most holy saviour, the holy John the Baptist and the holy John the Evangelist in Lateran". 

 

 

The basilica is a so-called pillar-basilica and consists of 5 aisles. At its core it goes back to Emperor Constantine in the 4th century but was renovated and converted to Baroque over the time. The chancel for example is from the Middle Age, the front however is from the classicism. The doors of the main portal were taken from the ancient curia in the Foro Romanum and were meant to symbolize the continuity of the papal reign in Rome over time. The chancel was rebuilt in the Middle Age and finalized with mosaics from Jacopo Torriti and Jacopo da Camerino between 1288 and 1292, later statues of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua were added thanks to Pope Nicholas IV., who was Minister General of the Franciscans. 

 

 

Over the main altar the heads of St. Peter and Paul are overlooking the church from a ciborium, an altar canopy resting on pillars, which was erected in 1367. 4 papal tombs are located inside the church, since the first official pope after the Great Western Schism (= a divide in the church causing the existence of two rivaling popes) wanted to strenghten the claim of papal reign in Rome. 

 

The cloister of the associated monastery is said to be one of the most beautiful in Rome and was built between 1215 and 1232, most likely by the artistic family Vassalleto. The arcade measures 36 metres and has rich ornaments, partly even twisted pillars. The centre of the courtyard also houses a well of the 9th century.