San Giovanni in Laterano is really an amazing church to stand in. The immense size is impressive to say the least. I was quite taken aback by the decor and the huge statues here. Taking a panorama from this kind of location is a true privilege. There are far fewer tourists here than in the Vatican, but this church is well worth the visit.

San Giovanni in Laterano - Rome visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'San Giovanni in Laterano' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Roma.

Panorama from the church of S Giovanni in Laterano in Rome. S Giovanni is one of the most important churches in Rome. Until 1870 this church was place where Popes were coronated. This is the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome and contains the papal throne (Cathedra Romana). As such, in ecclesiastical circles, S Giovanni ranks above all the other churches in the Roman Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, though it is of far less interest to most people, and receives far less visitors than the sister church.

One of the first things that strikes the visitor is the vast size of the church. S Giovanni in Laterano is 130m long with two aisles either side. There are two entrances into this enormous cathedral, but maybe the best one to enter the church is through the North Façade into one of the transepts. Entering here you get a glimpse of the Papal Altar, which obscures much of the rest of the nave. It is then only as you approach the papal altar that the rest of the nave comes into view. The main entrance to the church is through the East Façade.

The name of the church comes from the patrician Lateranus family who lived in a house on the site and were accused of conspiracy against Emperor Nero. Nero subsequently confiscated their property and executed some of the family. Then in the 4C the Emperor Constantine arranged for a church to be built here. The overall plan of the layout of the church dates from this time, though the interior dates from 1649 as the church has caught fire on sever occasions. The East façade was added in 1734. The nave of the church is lined with 12 huge 8m tall statues of the Apostles. Each one stands in a an alcove and carved in the 18C. Above each of them are stuccoes of scenes from the Old Testament. This panoramic photograph is taken form the around the mid point of the nave showing some of these statues. At the far end of the church is the 14C Gothic baldacchino.

There is an important Museum attached to the church as well.

San Giovanni in Laterano
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 4,
Rome, Italy

Travel and Getting There:
Metro: San Giovanni
Bus: 4, 16, 30, 85, 87, or 174