For many centuries, Rome continues to keep countless imperishable Christian shrines, relics, as well as masterpieces of painting, sculpture and architecture. That is why the Eternal City is a center of attraction not only for tourists from all over the world, but also for many pilgrims who are eager to find spiritual riches.
Especially intense guests flock to Rome in the Jubilee years - the period when believers receive a gift from the Pope indulgence (absolution of sins). At this time, applicants for papal grace must certainly visit the four great basilicas of Rome. These temples - Papal Basilicas - are under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy See and have the highest rank in the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Our article will discuss one of them - the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
How are Papal Basilicas different from other churches?
To receive Atonement, or "papal indulgence", a repentant at confession and a forgiven sinner should take communion and pass through the Holy Doors. Pontiffs are instructed to open them using a special rite onceper century - in the year that the Roman Catholic Church proclaims Holy. It is the presence of the Papal Altar, in which the Pope and several priests celebrate the Eucharist, as well as the Holy Doors, that distinguish Papal basilicas from other Roman churches.
First Great Basilicas
The rules for granting indulgences were laid down in a 1300 papal bull. According to this document, the recipient of the atonement was instructed to definitely visit two Roman basilicas, in which the followers of the teachings of Christ were buried.
About Constantine Basilica
One of them is St. Peter's Basilica. The temple was built in the place where, according to legend, the first of the apostles of Jesus Christ, St. Peter, crucified by Emperor Nero, was buried.
The Cathedral is one of the great centers of Catholicism and is known as the largest church in the world. St. Peter's Basilica is used as a solemn place for holding the biggest church holidays. The majestic building of the temple was erected in 1506-1626 on the site of a church once built by Emperor Constantine I, therefore the basilica is called "Konstantinovskaya". The temple occupies one of the first places in the list of 7 basilicas of Rome visited by pilgrims. Several generations of great artists and sculptors took part in its creation: Raphael, Michelangelo, Bramante, Bernini.
The basilica can accommodate up to 60 thousand people inside and about four hundred thousand peopleoutside the temple, on its square.
About St. Paul's Basilica outside the city walls
Second - the church of San Paolo Fuori le Mura. This temple is also known as "St. Paul's Basilica Outside the Walls". Its construction began at the dawn of the fourth century, after the decrees of Emperor Constantine were promulgated, forbidding the persecution of Christians and proclaiming tolerance for their faith. According to legend, the temple was built in a place where believers honored the memory of St. Paul, who was beheaded in 65 by Emperor Nero - this is in the vicinity of Rome, outside the wall of Aurelian. Around 324, the Church of San Paolo Fuori le Mura was consecrated by Pope Sylvester.
Further history of the main basilicas of Rome
In 1350, Pope Clement VI ranked one more basilica among the Great - the Cathedral of St. John Lateran. The temple received the title "Mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world" and is considered the most important in the Catholic Diocese of the world, since it houses the chair of the Roman bishop and the Papal throne. The construction of the cathedral was laid by Emperor Constantine after he adopted the Christian faith in 324. At first, the temple was called the "Basilica of the Savior".
The fourth cohort of the Greats was the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (1390), dedicated to the service of the Virgin Mary. This church, located on the Esquiline hill (Monti district), is the only one in which an early Christian structure has been preserved. The temple was erected during the reign of Pope Sixtus III (432-440). The building of the cathedral is endowed with the privilege of extraterritoriality and does not apply toThe Vatican is the territory of the state of Italy.
About small basilicas
It should be noted that there are two more small basilicas. Although the churches of Santa Maria degli Angeli and San Francesco (Assisi, Umbria) also have a Papal altar, they still have the status of small ones, since they do not have Holy Doors. It is for this reason that basilicas are not among the fundamental temples that allow you to receive "papal indulgence" (indulgence) in the Jubilee year.
San Paolo Fuori le Mura (Rome)
The St. Paul complex is one of the most beautiful places in the Eternal City. You can verify this by looking at the photos posted in the article. Despite all the troubles of the noisy centuries, the temple of San Paolo Fuori le Mura is well preserved. The cultural, historical and spiritual value of this place is undeniable for both locals and tourists. In 1980, the temple was included in the list of World Heritage of Humanity.
About the history of the temple
This church was built over the tomb of St. Paul, who was executed by Emperor Nero in 65 AD. The body of the holy martyr was transferred to Via Ostiense and buried in the necropolis. For centuries, his grave was a place of universal veneration for believers, pilgrims from different countries came here.
St. Paul's Basilica was founded by the Roman emperor Constantine I. During the reign of Valentinian I, the building was expanded. In 386, Emperor Theodosius I erected another temple on this site, higher and more majestic than the previous one, with fourside naves and nave. During the reign of Pope Gregory the Great (from 590 to 604), the basilica was again reconstructed: now the altar was located directly above the grave of the saint. In the 9th century, the church was significantly damaged during the invasion of the Saracens. It was restored by John VIII. In the period from 1220 to 1241, a monastery appeared at the cathedral. In the summer of 1823, the temple almost completely burned down. The basilica was rebuilt in 1854 and re-consecrated under Pius IX.
Description of the temple: general view
From the outside, the cathedral resembles an ordinary fortress: its appearance is simple and restrained, the main decorations are hidden inside the building. The length of the basilica reaches 131.66 meters, the height in the highest part of the temple is 29.70 meters, the width is about 65 meters. St. Paul's Basilica is the 2nd largest in Rome.
Patio
Chiostro is an extraordinarily beautiful patio that was preserved during the fire. He deserves special attention. Along the perimeter of the courtyard are marble columns supporting graceful arches. The cornice of the arcade is decorated with a mosaic pattern made by artists from the famous Vasaletto family. Twisted columns and arches remind of the long and difficult history of the temple. The carvings and stucco work in the courtyard of St. Paul's Basilica are considered unsurpassed masterpieces.
Interior
Three doors lead to the temple, decorated with fragments from the life of the holy martyrs: Peter and Paul, Jesus Christ, the apostles and the Holy Trinity. Each of the doors is decorated in a special way. It is known that plates ofdoor that stood here until the beginning of the 19th century. Nearby is an image of the resurrection of Christ.
The interior of the basilica, represented by rich decoration in the style of classicism and neoclassicism, amazes with its luxury and grace. There are five halls inside the temple. The central one is divided into parts by eighty granite columns. The ceiling fresco and colonnade date from the 19th century. The ceiling is decorated with carved gilded panels. A part of the construction of the 5th century has been preserved in the cathedral - the arch of Galla Placidia, erected in honor of the wife of the emperor of Rome, as well as fragments of mosaics. Each of the windows is decorated with a unique pattern that lets in the sun's rays and fills the temple with warm light. The floor mosaic decorations of the basilica represent images of all kinds of animals.
Gallery of San Paolo Fuori le Mura presents portraits of 236 pontiffs, located in special medallions. Only a few of them remained unfilled. There is a belief that after the death of the last pope, when all the medallions are filled, the end of the world will come.
Sarcophagus with holy relics
In the center of the temple, the main attraction of the church appears before visitors - the sarcophagus with the incorruptible relics of St. Paul. Above it rises a tabernacle (1285) with Christian and pagan scenes. And next to it is a five-meter candlestick of the 13th century. To celebrate Mass over holy relics is the prerogative of the Pope exclusively. Special holes are arranged in the tomb so that visitors can stick pieces of cloth inside, which wouldallowed them to touch the shrine. Not far from the sarcophagus is an altar with a window so that those who wish can confess their sins.
The Basilica also preserves other imperishable Christian values: a fragment of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, a particle of the staff of St. Paul, with which the great companion made his hiking trips, the relics of the apostles, martyrs and bishops.
It is known that in 2011 the tenth international sacred music festival took place in St. Paul's Cathedral. In the sacred walls of the basilica, the symphony orchestra performed the majestic music of Anton Brückner - Symphony No. 7.
Monastery
South of the transept is a monastery, the building of which is considered one of the most beautiful medieval buildings. Noteworthy are the double columns of different shapes. Some pillars are equipped with gold and colored glass mosaic inserts. The monastery preserves ancient sarcophagi and parts of the ruined basilica.
Tours
San Paolo Fuori le Mura organizes excursions for guests, giving tourists the opportunity to visit the basilica, the monastery, the courtyard, the museum.
The temple is open daily for guests. Visiting - from 07:00 to 18:30. Entrance to the church is free.
You can visit the courtyard and the monastery daily from 08.00 to 18.15. Paid entrance. The cost of the entrance ticket should be clarified on the spot or on the day of booking.
Location and how to get there
St. Paul's Basilica is located in the southern partmodern Rome, not far from the left bank of the Tiber River and 2 km from the legendary walls of Aurelian. Address: Piazzale San Paolo, 1.
From "Termini" (the main railway station of Rome) to the church of St. Paul is easier to get by metro. Exit - at the station San Paolo Basilica (line B). To get to San Paolo Fuori le Mura from the Ciampino or Leonardo da Vinci airport, it is better to use the bus. Take it to the Termini station, then transfer to the metro. Buses to St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome:
- 271 (go to S. Paolo Terminus).
- 23 (go to Ostiense / LGT S. Paolo).
Tourists traveling in their own cars will be pleased with the presence of large parking lots on Via Ostiense and Piazza San Paolo. It will be convenient for motorists to navigate by the GPS coordinates of the temple: 41°51’31″N 12°28’35″E.
