Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

182  ROME AREA B Y AREA

1 San Giovanni in Laterano

Early in the 4th century, the Laterani family were disgraced, and their land taken
by Emperor Constantine to build Rome’s first Christian basilica. Today’s church retains
the original shape, but has been destroyed by fire twice and rebuilt several times.
Borromini undertook the last major rebuild of the interior in 1646, and
the main facade is an 18th-century addition. Before the pope’s move
to Avignon in 1309, the adjoining Lateran Palace was the official
papal residence, and until 1870 all popes were crowned in the church.
This is the city’s main cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Rome,
the pope, who celebrates Maundy Thursday Mass here and
attends the annual blessing of the people.

Entrance to
. Baptistery museum
Though much restored, the domed
baptistery dates back to Constantine’s
time. It assumed its present octagonal
shape in AD 432 and the design has
served as the model for baptisteries
throughout the Christian world.

KEY
1 Apse Papal Altar
2 The Chapel of San Venanzio Only the pope can
is attached to the baptistery, and is celebrate mass at
decorated with 7th-century mosaics. this altar. The Gothic
baldacchino,
3 The original Lateran Palace was decorated with
almost destroyed by the fire of 1308, frescoes, dates from
which devastated San Giovanni. the 14th century.
Pope Sixtus V commissioned Fontana
to replace it in 1586.
4 Statues of Christ and the
Apostles crown the facade. . Cloisters
Built by the
5 A side door is opened only
on Holy Years. Vassalletto family
in about 1220, the
6 The main entrance’s bronze cloisters are
doors originally came from the remarkable for their
Curia (see p84). twisted twin
columns and inlaid
marble mosaics.

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