The Oldest Church in Rome Still Stands Strong After 1,699 Years

Rome has a rich and deep history with Christianity that dates back centuries. Experts believe that the Christian religion was initially brought to Rome in the first century AD. However, it wasn’t as popular in ancient times as it is now. During this time, many people were persecuted for their beliefs. Those who practiced Christianity openly lost their rights, and some individuals lost their lives. Those who opposed Christianity destroyed ancient Christian texts and completely outlawed group worship. It wasn’t until Constantine took power that things began to turn around. When Emperor Constantine issued the Edit of Milan in 313, it ended the persecution of Christians in Rome, granting them freedom to practice their religion. Shortly after, construction began on many churches and cathedrals to accommodate the Christian population.

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is the Oldest Church in Rome

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is short for Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran. This is the official seat of the Pope, making it not only the head of all Roman churches but the mother church of the whole world. It is the highest-ranking church in the world, even surpassing St. Peter’s Basilica.

This church was founded in the year 324, making it roughly 17 centuries old. Currently, it is the oldest standing church in the entire world. Originally this building was a mansion belonging to the Laterani family. However, it was seized by the government when suspicions arose that members of the family were conspiring against the state. Many years later, Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, ended up in possession of this mansion. He later donated it to the Roman church, and officials quickly began converting it into a beautiful basilica. Shortly thereafter, Pope Sylvester I dedicated it and it became the official residence of the papacy until 1308.

History and Significance

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran enjoyed many years of success and growth after its founding. However, a few centuries later, the Avignon Papacy began. This was a period of time between 1309 and 1376 when seven popes resided in Avignon, France rather than Rome. It was during this time period that The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran became somewhat neglected. Two fires destroyed sections of the building, and by the time the Avignon Papacy had come to a conclusion, it was in a state of disrepair. When the Pope returned to Rome, officials deemed The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran unfit to be his residence. Shortly after, construction began on the Vatican which has been the official papal residence ever since.

It wouldn’t be until Pope Sixtus V came into power that reconstruction would begin in the church. Instead of restoring the original building that was left behind, he elected to rebuild an entirely new church instead. The new church that Pope Sixtus V oversaw the construction of is the one we still see today. This is but one of his achievements, as he became known as the “Rebuilder of Rome.” Since this time period, The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran has gone through countless restorations and additions in order to maintain its integrity and original beauty.

Local Geography

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is located right in the heart of Rome, making it a convenient destination to add to your travel itinerary. Some other popular attractions nearby are The Arch of Constantine, The Colosseum, and The Baths of Caracalla. There are other popular tourist destinations slightly further away, although still within 30 minutes’ driving distance. If you don’t mind taking a detour, you can also squeeze in visiting the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.

The locals claim that the best food in Rome is located around the Trastevere, which is only a 15-minute trip from The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. After a long day of sightseeing, this is a great spot to treat yourself to some traditional Italian cuisine, such as carbonara or cacio e pepe. If you’re interested in grabbing some dessert after, there are also a variety of authentic gelato spots in this area.

Modern Day

Are you thinking about visiting this church? It’s best to prepare for a few things before you go. Because The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is such an important piece of history, security is very tight. There are stringent checks to make sure that guests don’t bring aerosol cans or glass bottles into the church. Due to this, long lines form and you might wait a long time before you’re able to enter the building. It’s good to plan ahead for this and budget some extra time in case you attend on a particularly busy day.

If you want to attend The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran at a quieter time, try to book your travel around the holidays in November or December. However, we understand that might not be a feasible option for everyone. In the event that you’re traveling during a season of peak tourism, you can always try to arrive at the church when the doors open in the morning at 9. a.m. for smaller crowds. For individuals who are interested in learning about the in-depth history, tours are available in many forms. If you’re feeling social, many companies offer guided group tours where many people can explore the church together. However, if you’re feeling more introverted, you can rent an audio guidebook from the information booth and set off alone.

Whether you’re interested in Christian history, appreciate ancient architecture, or simply like to immerse yourself in different cultures, be sure to include The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in your itinerary. It is a church unlike any other and is sure to be a bucket list destination for many.