St. Paul's Basilica

The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome.

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Its thousand-year-old history is rooted in the burial place of the Apostle Paul, who was martyred in the 1st century AD.

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The area on which the Basilica stands was once a port area on the banks of the Tiber River, known as the Darsene di Pietra Papa (Docks of Peter's Stone), and a vast open-air cemetery. After the execution of Saint Paul, a shrine was erected over his tomb. In 324 AD, Emperor Constantine consecrated a small church, which was replaced by a larger Basilica to accommodate pilgrims.

 

The Basilica was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

 

On the night of July 15, 1823, a devastating fire destroyed much of the Basilica, leaving only a few structures standing. The reconstruction, desired by Pope Leo XII, began in 1825 with the encyclical Ad plurimas, which invited the faithful to contribute with offerings. The new Basilica was consecrated in 1840.

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Over the centuries, the Basilica has been enriched by numerous works of art, including:

• The entrance door with 54 silver panels, commissioned by Gregory VII in the 11th century.

• The cloister by the master Vassalletto.

• The magnificent ciborium by Arnolfo di Cambio (13th century).

• The Chapel of Saint Lawrence, a 17th-century work by Carlo Maderno.

• The portico by Canevari (1725).

With a length of 131 meters, a width of 65 meters, and a height of 29.70 meters, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is an imposing treasure trove of history and art.