"This is one of the most beautiful places you can walk through in Rome for free. You can feel the artistic spirit of ancient’s Rome people. It is magnificent, magical and majestic. Tall ceilings and columns makes you feel like a little star in a the sky :))

Try and ask Chatgpt to tell you briefly about the story and history behind this beautiful church and turn the audio on to read it for you. You’ll have a fascinating experience cause it tells you everything you should pay attention to and amazing facts to understand the value of the place you are visiting.

Bonus point: there’s a small beautiful lovely garden at the end of this church, you get a ticket to visit it. It’s beautiful and worth the short walk around."

Hasti Roudbari

"The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano (Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris) is more than just a church; it is the cathedral of Rome, the "Mother and Head of all the Churches of the City and the World" (Mater et Caput omnium Ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis), and the oldest of the papal basilicas. It is a place of incredible history and architectural significance.
It was the first Christian church built in Rome (4th century), and it remained the primary residence of the Popes for a thousand years before the Popes moved to the Vatican. Knowing you are in Rome's official cathedral and in a church that predates St. Peter's Basilica gives the visit a whole new, deeper dimension. This is the cradle of early Christianity, and it is felt in every detail. The main façade, facing east, designed in the late Baroque/early Classicist style (architect Alessandro Galilei), is considered one of the most beautiful in Rome.
Most striking are the gigantic 7-meter-tall statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, and other saints that adorn the top of the façade. They are visible from afar and create a stunning impression with their monumentality.
The interior is striking in its monumental volume and sumptuous decoration, the result of restoration by the renowned Baroque architect Francesco Borromini in the 17th century.
The main nave is incredibly spacious and majestic. In place of the original columns, Borromini created massive pilasters. In the niches of these pilasters are 12 enormous statues of the Apostles (the work of various artists from the 17th and 18th centuries), each a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture. Their size and expressiveness leave no one indifferent. The magnificent gilded coffered ceiling (16th century), designed by Pirro Ligorio, is one of the most opulent creations of the Renaissance. It is adorned with the coats of arms of the popes who contributed to its creation.
The original Cosmatesque marble mosaic floor (13th century) is one of the most beautiful surviving in Rome.
Above the central papal altar rises the Gothic Ciborium (14th-century tabernacle), decorated with frescoes. Inside, according to legend, the heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul are enshrined in reliquaries in the form of busts. This makes the altar's location incredibly significant.
The Apse Mosaic is one of the oldest parts of the basilica. The apse mosaic (13th century, works by Jacopo Torriti and Jacopo da Camerino) depicts Christ surrounded by angels, the Virgin Mary, and saints. It is executed in the Byzantine style and radiates a stunning golden light. Baptistery (San Giovanni in Fonte): Located next to the Basilica, it is considered the oldest baptistery in the Christian world. Its octagonal shape served as a model for all subsequent baptisteries.
The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is more than just a landmark; it is the heart of Christian Rome. It may be less well-known than St. Peter's Basilica, but its historical and religious significance surpasses all other churches.
Tip: Try to visit the Basilica in the morning to avoid the large tourist groups that often make their way to it on pilgrimages."

Witold Drutel

"Visiting the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the cathedral of Rome, was a truly profound experience. As the mother and head of all churches, its grand architecture and deep sense of holiness immediately invite silence and awe. Walking through its vast interior, I felt a strong connection to the early Church and the long history of faith that has been passed down through the centuries. A memorable and grace-filled stop for any pilgrim in Rome."

Paulus S. Firmanto