Rome: The other basilicas of the Vatican

San Giovanni in Laterano

When we visit the Vatican, we visit the seat of the pope, probably a place everyone knows. That basilica, gardens, and several other buildings are actually the capital of the church, and they all create the state of Vatican City. Just a few people know that the pope has three other seats in Rome; these are also papal basilicas, which are, after the Vatican, the most important churches for a Catholic.

What distinguishes them? They all have the same building characteristics. We will find here a papal throne and an altar located in the middle of the church exclusively reserved for the pope or the prelates delegated by him; any other priest can't celebrate the mass here. Each of them has jubilee holy doors that are opened every millennium years. This is something we never meet in other churches.

It shows their range.

Pope Benedict XVI also added to the list the Basilica of St. Lorenzo fuori le Mura, but it is not so popular and has a smaller range because here it never lived.
All of them showed great artism of mediaeval art and baroque because here worked the most famous artists of that age. I also recommend to the unbeliever a beautiful shadow game, a cuddly decoration. These are also amazing artistic works that are worth seeing.

1) San Giovanni in Laterano, aka St. John in Lateran

The second most important papal basilica is St. John in Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano), known mostly as Lateran. That is actually the first seat of the pope, established by Emperor Constantine. Popes resided here until 1308, when the building burned down. The popes then moved to the Vatican, and there they were, even though the palace and the basilica were rebuilt. Today, the basilica is also the seat of the bishop of Rome, and the Pope is also that person. So for Rome, that church is the most important. Thanks to that, the buried pope moved to the Vatican, and the Vatican became his residence. In Lateran, there are stairs (Scala Santa), after which supposedly Christ was to be led to court. The basilica combines many styles. It is the oldest basilica and we can find here many masterpieces of early Christian art. The most beautiful is the apse. On my picture here came a mysterious light that looked a little like a person. ghost.

Pope throne, the light- all my life I still don't know what or who it is

 

International site about place: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/index_it.htm

2) Santa Maria Maggiore

                                      

According to legend, the church was built for the Mother of God, who indicated the place, ordening to build the church where there will be snow in the summer. The basilica is located on the Esquilino hill, in the place where the snow has fallen. For her first renovation, money was given by ex-Queen Isabelle of the Catholic Church.

　

 The oldest part of the church is the mosaics from the 5th century. We will also find here a polish accent. On one of the paintings, there is the residence of Malbork. The most valuable object of worship is the image of Our Lady of the Snows, the Roman guardian, mostly known as Salus Populi Romani, ''Literally Greetings to the Roman People.'' She brought the snow during the summer, which saved the fields that deteriorated due to the drought. Saving the city from hunger. We can believe in a legend or not. I have been believing in that for a few months. Salus Populi Romani is the only style of writing icon created in the West. Other icons are typical symbols of the eastern church. There are also the relics of the Jesus Holy Cirb, brought from Jerusalem as most of the relics related to Christ by the mother of emperor Constantine-Helene. During the Christmas season, there is a holy mass with the Pope. This church is also closely related to the prophecy of Malachy; according to that, the current Pope is the last.

Our Lady of the Snow

Jesus Holy crib relics

International site about place :  http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/sm_maggiore/index_en.html

 

3) San Paolo fuori le Mura 

 

San Paolo fuori le Mura, the youngest papal basilica, built on the site of the tomb of Saint Paul, is located, as the name suggests, behind the ancient city walls. Here are the images of all Popes from Saint Peter to the present. With the image of a living pope, the light always shines. 

Mosaic with the popes Francis and Benedict XVI

In particular, it is necessary to visiting this place today, as not enough people know that we live in the epistles of historical precedent. Though we have two living popes, that's why in the basilica we find two illuminated images. The previous Pope Benedict XVI abdicated, and Francis became the new pope. However, both of them are still alive, and may they live as long as possible because they are the last rock of our declining civilization. The basilica itself, however, has had no luck. Almost completely burned during renovation in the nineteenth century, until the next fire occurred several years ago. This temple complex is surrounded by a very beautiful garden.In the Middle Ages, the patrons of the church were the kings of England.

 



 

St Paul's  shakles

 



Pope throne

St Paul statue as a defender of faith is always presented with a sword.St. Peter is presented with keys as a sign of authority over the whole church and its knowledge

International site about place :  http://www.basilicasanpaolo.org/index.asp?lang=eng