Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (St John the Lateran Square)
-Basilica San Giovanni, Scala Sancta, Lateran Palace

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (St John the Lateran Square) is a square on Caelian Hill in the Eastern end of central Rome where you find the Holy Stairs, the cathedral San Giovanni in Laterano, the Lateran Palace and the Obelisk of Thutmosis III. The rich Lateranus family, later expelled from Rome, financed many of the impressive buildings around the square.

San Giovanni in Laterano (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran) is a large cathedral, consecrated in 324 AD, that is considered to be the holiest church for the catholics of the five papal basilicas, even holier then St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. That is since it is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. The Eastern facade was designed by Alessandro Galilei in baroque style. San Giovanni in Laterano is considered one of the properties of the Holy See, but belongs to Italy, not the Vatican. The interior is really impressive, it is really huge in size (65x140m), and richly decorated. 896 it was partly destroyed in an earthquake, but it was soon rebuilt. 1605 and 1735 the church was modernised and partly reconstructed.

The Lateran Palace (Palazzo Lateranense) at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano is an ancient palace that used to be the main residence for the pope, built by the rich Lateranus family. It is built together with the cathedral. Today it hosts the Vatican Historical Museum.

Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) are situated inside inside a small building opposite the St John the Lateran Square, part of the old Lateran Palace. Scala Sancta are 28 marble steps that are considered holy for catholic, since the legend says they are the same steps that Jesus climbed to beg for mercy from Pontius Pilate. It is said that they were brought from Jerusalem to Rome by Constantine the Great's mother, St. Helena. Photos are not allowed inside and they should be climbed on knees. The stairs lead to the Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes known as the chapel of St. Lawrence.

Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, the hilly and narrow street to the right, leads down through an hill from the piazza to Colosseum. The street has an Italian small town feeling. Via Merluna is a nice hilly road with cafés and tall trees. It leads down to Via Manzone, where the nearest metro station (Manzone) is. We visited San Giovanni right after St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Via di San Giovanni in Laterano leads down to the Colosseum. It is a hilly street with a small town feeling and restaurant with moderate prices.

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John in Lateran square) Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John in Lateran square) Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John in Lateran square) Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano with the obelisk Obelisk of Thutmosis III on Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (45.7m with the base) is the tallest obelisk in Rome and was erected in 1588. It is also the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world, weighing over 230 tons. Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) are situated inside inside this small building, part of the old Lateran Palace. Scala Sancta are 28 marble steps that are considered holy for catholic, since the legend says they are the same steps that Jesus climbed to beg for mercy from Pontius Pilate. It is said that they were brought from Jerusalem to Rome by Constantine the Great's mother, St. Helena. Photos are not allowed inside and they should be climbed on knees. The stairs lead to the Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes known as the chapel of St. Lawrence. Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) are situated inside inside this small building, part of the old Lateran Palace. Scala Sancta are 28 marble steps that are considered holy for catholic, since the legend says they are the same steps that Jesus climbed to beg for mercy from Pontius Pilate. It is said that they were brought from Jerusalem to Rome by Constantine the Great's mother, St. Helena. Photos are not allowed inside and they should be climbed on knees. The stairs lead to the Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes known as the chapel of St. Lawrence. Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Eastern facade. "Mother of all churches" for catholics. Looking Eastwards towards a part of the ancient wall from Via di San Giovanni in Laterano. San Giovanni in Laterano (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran), 1700s Eastern facade by Alessandro Galilei . Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, golden ceiling Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, some of the many religious sculptures San Giovanni in Laterano 026 St. Bartholomew by Le Gros, San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano San Giovanni in Laterano 029 San Giovanni in Laterano 030 San Giovanni in Laterano 031 San Giovanni in Laterano 032 San Giovanni in Laterano 033 San Giovanni in Laterano 034 San Giovanni in Laterano 035 San Giovanni in Laterano 036 San Giovanni in Laterano 037 San Giovanni in Laterano's richly decorated interior. San Giovanni in Laterano 039 Some kind of mass or ceremony was going on in San Giovanni in Laterano during our visit, that was just after the visit of St Peter's Basilica. San Giovanni in Laterano 041 San Giovanni in Laterano 042 San Giovanni in Laterano 043 San Giovanni in Laterano 044 San Giovanni in Laterano 045 San Giovanni in Laterano 046 San Giovanni in Laterano 047 San Giovanni in Laterano 048 San Giovanni in Laterano 049 The Lateran Palace (Palazzo Lateranense) at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano is an ancient palace that used to be the main residence for the pope, built by the rich Lateranus family. It is built together with the cathedral. Today it hosts the Vatican Historical Museum. The Lateran Palace (Palazzo Lateranense) at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano is an ancient palace that used to be the main residence for the pope, built by the rich Lateranus family. It is built together with the cathedral. Today it hosts the Vatican Historical Museum. The Lateran Palace (Palazzo Lateranense) and the Obelisk of Thutmosis III on Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano San Giovanni in Laterano 050 Traffic in front of Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), on Via di San Giovanni in Laterano near Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano. Obelisk of Thutmosis III on Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano (45.7m with the base) is the tallest obelisk in Rome and was erected in 1588. It is also the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world, weighing over 230 tons. San Giovanni in Laterano 055 Via Merulana, the nice hilly road that goes up to San Giovanni in Laterano. Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, the hilly and narrow street to the right, leads down through an hill from the piazza to Colosseum. The street has an Italian small town feeling. Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, the hilly and narrow street to the right, leads down through an hill from the piazza to Colosseum. The street has an Italian small town feeling. St Clemens Church, Via di San Giovanni in Laterano Via di San Giovanni in Laterano has lower pricer, despite being close to the Colosseum prices are lower here. Manzoni metro station with ancient objects, closest station to Ssan Giovanni Via Manzoni Via Manzoni, modern trams. Via Manzoni/Via Merulana intersection. Via Merulana, the nice hilly road that goes up to San Giovanni in Laterano. Via Merulana, the nice hilly road that goes up to San Giovanni in Laterano. A small church at Via Merluna Another small church at Via Merluna Via Merluna Via Merluna with it's nice cafés.