Experience the rich history and religious significance of the entire St. John Lateran Complex on this self-guided tour with an engaging multilingual audio guide.
Highlights
Highlights
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Explore the St. John Lateran complex and its several historic sites, including the Cloister, the Baptistery, the Holy Stairs, and the Sancta Sanctorum chapel.
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Tune in to an audio guide in a language of your choice and soak up this marvelous church complex at your own pace.
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You can upgrade to access the Sancta Sanctorum, a sacred chapel housing ancient relics, and the Holy Stairs, which pilgrims ascend on their knees.
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Enhance your visit with access to Lateran Palace, which features three-story façades frescoed vaults, and the private apartments of the popes.
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Fun fact: The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Pope's cathedral, where various important ceremonies are held, including Easter Mass and the ordination of new bishops.
Inclusions
Inclusions
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Admission to the Lateran Complex
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Entry to St. John Lateran
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Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese
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Access to Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum (as per option selected)
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Entry to Lateran Palace (as per option selected)
Exclusions
Exclusions
- Live guide
Cancellation policy
Cancellation policy
These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the experience begins.
Reviews
Reviews
Giuseppe
Dec, 2023
Walkiria
Oct, 2023
Irene
Oct, 2023
Marco
Dec, 2022
Your experience
Your experience
Discover the St. John Lateran Archbasilica
Experience the oldest church in the western world – the St. John Lateran Archbasilica – and the entire Lateran Complex with an informative multilingual audio guide.
One of the four Archbasilicas in Rome, the Church’s history dates back to early Christianity and, together with the Cloister, the Baptistery, the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa), and its Sancta Sanctorum chapel, forms a complex of substantial religious history and culture. This is the church where the Pope lived up to the XIV century until the residence shifted to the Vatican City after 1870.
Marvel at the Cloister, measuring approximately 36-meters on each side. One of the widest in the city, observe the Roman Gothic architecture of the precious gilded marble column carved by one of the most talented stonemason families in Rome – the Vassallettos.
Explore the Baptistery & Sancta Sanctorum
You’ll find the entrance to the Baptistery behind the church. Featuring a dome and columns, look out for internal frescoes that were made under Pope Urban II in the XVII century. Mosaic decorations have almost disappeared but many artists have left their mark on the walls such as Andrea Sacchi, Carlo Rainaldi (the altar), and Luigi Valadier (the statue of St. John Baptiste).
Opposite the St. John Lateran is the entrance to the Scala Santa, which translates to ‘Holy Stairs’. Legend says these 28 marble steps were the stairs on which Jesus climbed to Pontius Pilate’s office during his trial. Today, pilgrims climb up the stairs strictly on their knees only, praying and asking for grace.
The Sancta Sanctorum chapel is considered to be one of the holiest sites of Christianity and holds the highest treasure of relics including an ancient image of Jesus the Saviour holding the New Testament. The rest of the chapel has been decorated by many popes over the years.
Know before you go
Know before you go
What's not allowed
- Strict dress code: It is recommended to wear pants or long skirts and cover your knees and shoulders.
Accessibility
- There’s both ramp and elevator access for visitors with reduced mobility but not all sections or buildings are easily accessible for wheelchair users.
My tickets
My tickets
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.
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Please arrive at the redemption point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Ticket redemption point
- Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.