Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano, Rome

Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano, Rome

The Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano is an early Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to Pope St Clement, with a history dating back to the 1st century.

The Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano is an early Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to Pope St Clement, with a history dating back to the 1^st century. One of the most richly decorated churches in Rome, the Basilica sits on top of several layers of history which have been unearthed in the excavations beneath it.

After a Roman nobleman’s home on the site was destroyed in the Great Fire of 64 AD, the mansion which was built here was used as an early church (Titulus Clementis) in the 1^st century, and later as a Mithraeum (temple of mysterious religious cult) in the 2^nd century. In the 4^th century, a basilica was built on top of the leveled Mithraeum, which was later abandoned for the new church built on top on it in 1108 AD.

The golden Apse mosaic of the current basilica is filled with Byzantine arabesque motif of scrolled acanthus tendrils, and the coffered ceilings of the nave and aisles are fitted with classical paintings. Explore the excavated areas underneath to see one of the largest collections of Early Medieval wall paintings in Rome, including ‘The Particular Judgement’, ‘Madonna with Child’, and ‘The Legend of St Alexis’.