St John Lateran Cathedral & Holy Steps Tour – One of the Four Major Basilicas and Holy Doors of Rome
IMPORTANT: Pilgrims wishing to pass through the Holy Doors during the Jubilee Year must register and book time slots here.
Our Rome Cathedral of St John Lateran Major Basilica Tour is the shorter, second part of the Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour for those who just want to visit the Cathedral of St John Lateran – one of the four Major Basilicas of Rome and one of mind-blowing historical and religious significance. The tour also takes in the nearby Holy Steps, upon which Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, brought to Rome from the Holy Land in 326.
San Giovanni (St John Lateran) is a fundamental pilgrim experience not least due to it being home to one of the four Holy Doors that will open during the Jubilee Year of 2025, but also to the relics that remain here, primarily the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul.
St John Lateran is the highest ranking church in the world, liturgically, as the Cathedral of Rome (the seat of the Bishop of Rome) and the symbol of the papal teaching authority over the world.
This fascinating Arch-Basilica & Cathedral of St John Lateran tour explains:
- The history of Constantine and the bequest of the land
- The importance and rank of the Basilica
- The Holy Door
- The turbulent history of the Basilica and Lateran Palace
- The baroque architecture and statues
- The relics of Saints Peter and Paul
- The symbolism of the spectacular mosaics
- The Holy Steps and the Holy of Holies
Remember, our St John Lateran Holy Door Catholic tour is just one part of our longer, flagship Rome Catholic Tour – the Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour, which goes beyond this majestic basilica into another of the Holy Door Basilicas – St Mary Major. If you want to do each of the Major Basilicas and their Holy Doors separately then you may also be interested in the bite-size standalone tours of St Peter’s Basilica (where St Peter’s body is) and the Basilica of St Paul (where the body of St Paul lies).
Read the Itinerary tab to learn how important this tour is for religious pilgrims to Rome.
Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. To learn more about the Catholic faith, visit Crucis.cc.
| MEETING POINT | Meet our Catholic guide at the bottom of the stairs to the left of the entrance of the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). Your guide will be holding a blue Crucis Tours sign. The link below shows the precise location to 3 square metres. Google Map What3Words: update.sisters.against |
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| FINISHING LOCATION | Outside the Cathedral. | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 11am Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays | ||||
| DURATION | Approx. 1 hour | ||||
| DRESS CODE | Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees | ||||
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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| Day of the Week | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
The Holy Steps
We begin our tour at the Holy Steps that Jesus was judged by Pontius Pilate on, that were brought to Rome by St Helena. For those who wish to partake in the ancient tradition of ascending the steps on your knees, then there will be opportunity to do this once the tour ends.
Holy of Holies and Icon by St Luke
While at the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Steps, we’ll also peek into the Holy of Holies, which, among other relics, contains a miraculous icon begun by the Evangelist St Luke.
The History
We then cross the road to the Basilica where our Rome Cathedral – St John Lateran Major Basilica Holy Door tour covers the role of Constantine in the construction of the Basilica and the rank and importance of this fascinating building.
The Holy Door
We then make our way to the Holy Door where your expert guide will explain the tradition and history of the Door and its practical purpose.
Architecture
Next we’ll enter the Basilica where you will be mesmerised by the majestic architecture and grandeur of Borromini with a focus on the 12 apostles.
Relics of Saints Peter & Paul
You will then be shown the reliquary containing the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Church, and given the opportunity to say a quick prayer should you wish.
The Mosaics
Journeying through the nave, your guide will explain the fascinating symbolism of the elaborate mosaics of the arch and the apse, taking care to point out the different hidden scriptural and theological messages.
Meet our Catholic guide at the bottom of the stairs to the left of the entrance of the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). Your guide will be holding a blue Crucis Tours sign. The link below shows the precise location to 3 square metres.
Google Map
What3Words: update.sisters.against
Tour Reviews
Our tour guide Tom was very knowledgeable and created a personal experience that made us wanting more!
Truly the best tour we took in Rome. The way the guide explained Romes history with the Bible was wonderful. His explanation of the art really brought so much meaning. As a Christian the way he told the history showed God’s sovereignty. He was so passionate and easy to understand. Highly recommend and wish we could’ve had more tours with him in our time in Rome.
Our tour guide was absolutely amazing, he was so knowledgeable and explained everything in such great detail. He went above and beyond to make sure we understood the history of the Catholic Church in Rome. We would highly recommend Crucis tours, it was one of the major highlights of our trip to Rome. ☆☆☆☆☆
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