Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Palazzo Laterano
(Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano; San Giovanni)
Flanking Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano,
ico Fontana's 16th-century Palazzo Laterano. Part of the original 4th-century basilica
complex, it was the official papal residence until the papacy moved to the Vatican in 1377,
and today houses the diocese of Rome.
PALACE
Battistero
(Baptistry; Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano; 7am-12.30pm & 4-7pm; San Giovanni)
Around
the corner from the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is the fascinating octagonal
bat-
tistero
. Built by Constantine in the 4th century, it served as the prototype for later Christi-
an churches and bell towers. The chief interest, apart from the architecture, are the decor-
ative mosaics, some of which date to the 5th century.
CHAPEL
Scala Santa & Sancta Sanctorum
CHAPEL
(Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano 14; Scala free, Sancta €3.50; Scala 6.15am-noon & 3.30-6.30pm
summer, 6.15am-noon & 3-6pm winter, Sancta Sanctorum 9.30am-noon & 3-5pm, closed Wed am & Sun
year-round; San Giovanni)
Brought to Rome by St Helena in the 4th century, the Scala
Santa is said to be the staircase that Jesus walked up in Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerus-
alem. Pilgrims consider it sacred and climb it on their knees, saying a prayer on each of
the 28 steps. At the top, the richly frescoed Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies) was
formerly the pope's private chapel.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
THROUGH THE KEYHOLE
Head up to the Aventine Hill for one of Rome's best views. On the ornate cypress-shaded
Piazza dei
stands the
Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta
, the Roman headquarters of the
Cavalieri di Malta
(Knights of Malta). The building is closed to the public, but look through its keyhole and you'll see
the dome of St Peter's perfectly aligned at the end of a hedge-lined avenue.
