St. John Lateran
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The Public Square of St. John Lateran, adorned by an obelisk of the 15th century b.C., is surrounded by huge monuments: the Baptistry, the Palazzo Laterano and, above all, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope, because it contains the papal throne, and so it ranks above all other churches in the Roman Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
It is the most ancient church, but has been destroyed and reconstructed many times; today it is a basilica with five naves. The huge façade, with the two bell towers, is characterized by the 15 statues of Christ surrounded by Saints.
Through the porch and the five doors (among which there are the original doors of the Palace of the Senate of the Roman Forum) we can reach the interior of the Basilica. Here precious works of art are conserved, among which the wooden ceiling and the refined pavement with mosaic, the reliquiary containung the skulls of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Not to lose: the tomb of Pope Silvester II, from where, according to a legend, the water seeps when the death of the Pope is near, and the Santa Scala (Holy Steps). Still today the complex of Saint Giovanni in Laterano is considered the church Caput et mater omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis that is the mother church of the whole inhabited world.
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The best accommodations:
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Ripa Hotel * * * * Roma
Smart and contemporary, this hotel optimises space, light and comfort in a trendy and friendly atmosphere in the heart of Trastevere, one of the most popular areas in Rome.
The Ripa Hotel is located in the modern part of Trastevere, which is one of the oldest districts on the left bank of the Ri ...
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Hotel Traiano * * * * Roma
Located in the shopping centre of Rome, the hotel benefits from easy access to the main monuments of the city, including the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.
Directly opposite the Rome Forum, and just 10 minutes away from Rome’s Termini Station, the hotel offers rooms over 4 floors, each with i ...
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Hotel Daniela * * * Roma
Hotel Daniela is located just round the corner from Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica and close to Rome’s main Termini station as well as metro stops.
This hotel, housed in an elegant old building, has recently been completely renovated to provide comfortable and clean rooms with modern amenities an ...
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