- Duration: 2 hours
- Priority access
- Audioguide available
- Photos without flash
- Mobile Ticket
What to expect?
- Visit the oldest church of the western world defined as the mater et caput of all the churches of Rome and of the world
- Visit the Lateran Palace, the papal seat and official residence of the Popes for many centuries
- Skip the line and don't waste your time
One of the most worshiped sites for Christianity
The history of the church dates back to the 324 AD, when it was consecrated by Constantine after his conversion. The Basilica is dedicated to the SS. Salvatore and to the SS. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist and since it is the oldest Christian basilica, it is defined as the mater et caput of all the churches of Rome and of the world. Until early XIV century, when the seat of the papacy was transferred to Avignon, tohether with the Lataran Palace it served as the residence of the pope.
The octagonal Lateran baptistery stands somewhat apart from the archbasilica. According to a legend, Emperor Constantine I was baptized there. The baptistery was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome, and its octagonal structure, centered upon the large basin for full immersions, provided a model for others throughout Italy.
Legend has it that in the 4th century the emperor's mother, Saint Helena, brought to Rome the staircase on which Christ was scourged. Pope Sixtus V brought them to the chapel Sancta Sanctorum, where he gathered the most important relics of Christianity. The weight of this relic is so great that the faithful are required to climb 28 steps on their knees. After traveling this penitential path, pilgrims reach the aforementioned chapel. Here, in addition to the heads of the saints of the first centuries of Christianity (Saints Agnes and Praxeda), there is an acheiropoietos (a word meaning a supernaturally created work), or image of Christ, which is said to have been painted by Saint Luke and the angels.
The beautiful 13th century Cloister of St John Lateran is Vassalletto’s masterpiece, with its twisted marble columns and its ornate sculptures make for a wonderfully peaceful place to explore and meditate.
The Lateran Palace is an ancient palace of the Roman Empire and later was the main papal residence in Rome. From the fourth century, the palace was the principal residence of the popes, and continued so for about a thousand years until the Apostolic Residence ultimately moved to the Vatican. Following the Lateran Treaty of 1929, the palace and adjoining basilica are extraterritorial properties of the Holy See.
What is included?
- Entrance and guided tour of the Lateran Palace
- Earphones
- Multilingual audio guide of St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cloister and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum
- Booking and management fees
What is not included?
- Guided tour of St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cloister and the Sancta Sanctorum
- Anything not expressly indicated in the "What is included" section
Available options
- Guided tour of the Lateran Palace available in: Italian (other languages on request)
- Audio guide of the Lateran Complex available in: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish
Price reductions
- Reduced ticket for children aged 6-17
- Free Ticket for children under 6 years old (It is still required to pay the reservation fee to skip the line; valid identity document needed at the entrance)
Meeting Point
To remember
Lateran Palace guided Tour
To visit the Lateran Palace it will be necessary to show up at least 15 minutes before the booking time and show the QR code directly at the entrance, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, next to the main entrance of St. John Lateran Basilica
- Reservation is mandatory
- Available languages: Italian, other languages on request
- Available visits: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- Closed: Wednesdays, Sundays and Vatican holidays
Lateran Complex with audio guide
To collect the audio guide for the visit of the Lateran Complex, it will be necessary to go to the entrance to the Cloister of St. John Lateran Basilica and show your entrance ticket.
To use the audio guides it will be necessary to leave a valid identity document, which can be collected at the end of the visit.
No reservations are made for the Cloister and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum.
- Available languages: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish
- Cloister opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 16:00
- Sancta Sanctorum Opening hours: weekdays 9:00/13: 00 - 15: 00/17: 00. Sunday and Vatican Holidays 15:00/17: 00
It is possible to access the site from Piazza di Porta San Giovanni, right next to the entrance to the Basilica, in small groups, accompanied by the wise guide of the Missionary Sisters of Divine Revelation.
The visit will unfold along ten rooms, richly frescoed, up to the private apartment of the Bishop of Rome.
The guided tour will end at the entrance to St. John Lateran Basilica, from which you can proceed independently to discover the Basilica, the Cloister and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum, with a multilingual audio guide.
