St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome is a unique architectural landmark that attracts the attention of millions of parishioners and pilgrims. Sins are released here by performing the “Holy Door” rite. Today the temple replenishes the list, which indicates the World Heritage of the planet. Consider the architecture of the temple, provide advice for its visitors.
Familiarity with the attraction
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rome - St. Paul ’s Basilica outside the walls, stands on the burial place of the Apostle Paul, about 3 km from the place called “Tre Fontane”, in which he was martyred and beheaded.
The tomb of the saint is under the papal altar. That is why for centuries it has always been a place of pilgrimage; since 1300, this shrine has been part of the majestic pilgrimage route that came to receive indulgence. It celebrates the opening ceremony of the Holy Door in St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome.
From the depths of history
Starting from the eighth century, the care of the liturgy and the lamp on the tomb of the apostle was entrusted to the Benedictine monks in the annexed abbey of St. Paul outside the walls. The whole complex of buildings is located on the territory of the Italian Republic.
UNESCO Heritage
St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome is an institution associated with the Holy See, including the adjacent abbey. The Holy See has full and exclusive jurisdiction over the entire extraterritorial complex, as well as the prohibition of the Italian state to expropriate or tax. The place has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980.
In front of the basilica
The area on which St. Paul’s Basilica stands outside the walls, on the 2nd mile of Via Ostiense, was occupied by an extensive cemetery (from sub divos - “under the gods,” that is, in the open). It has been used since the 1st century BC. e.
It was a vast cemetery, which included various types of tombs, from family tombs to small burial chapels, which were often decorated with frescoes and stucco moldings. Almost all of this burial site is still operational (for the most part below the level of the nearby Tiber), and it is estimated that it extends over the entire area of the basilica and surrounding areas. A small but significant part of it is visible along the Via Ostiense, not far from the northern vault of the basilica.
From Paul to Constantine
Emperor Nero ordered the execution of Paul. He suffered a martyrdom after numerous tortures. This punishment befell the preacher for telling people about the new faith. It was these sermons that cost Paul his life. The burial place of the saint is called "Three Fountains." The legend says that after the execution, the flying off head hit the ground three times. This opened the way for a new spring, which provided underground keys with an exit to the outside. Burial of Paul is located 3 km from the place of his execution.
As for the tomb of Paul, it immediately became an object of veneration for the enlightened Christian community of Rome, which relatively quickly erected a small funerary monument here. Eusebius of Caesarea reports in his church history an excerpt from a letter from Gaius, presbyter under Pope Zephyrin, who refers to trophies located above the tomb of the apostle.
There is a continuous pilgrimage from the first century. Emperor Konstantin I created a small basilica, from which only the apse curve is visible, visible near the Central Altar. It was a small building, probably with three naves, in which, near the apse, was the tomb of Paul, decorated with a golden cross.
The Basilica of Constantine was consecrated on November 18, 324 during the reign of Pontiff Sylvester I. Today it is part of a series of similar architectural structures built by the emperor outside the city. Hence the name of the building "outside the walls."
Basilica of the Three Emperors
St. Paul's Cathedral, outside the walls in Rome, also consists of the Basilica of Constantine San Paolo. It was much smaller than the modern basilica of San Pietro. Then it was completely rebuilt during the reign of Emperors Theodosius I, Grazian and Valentinian II (391), and this structure will remain practically intact until the catastrophic fire of 1823. This natural disaster befell a large number of shrines.
The construction was entrusted to Professor Siriade, who erected a building with five naves, with 80 columns and a quadricortic. These new buildings differed from the previous one in impressive size. The basilica, which safely survived even after the fire that happened here, was consecrated by Pope Syria in 390. Its construction was completed under the emperor Honoria in 395.
Continuation of a story
Subsequent additions, such as the triumphal arch supported by monumental columns, and the magnificent mosaic that decorated it, are associated, respectively, with the restoration work of Galla Placidia and the interventions of Pope Leo I.
The latter made rounds with papal portraits that ran over the arches of the central nave; some of the survivors of the fire are stored in the De Rossi collection in a nearby monastery, along with others that have been restored over the centuries.
Temple decorations
In the Leon mosaic program there were also scenes from the Old Testament and the Acts of the Apostles on the right and left passages, respectively, and the apse arch with Christ inside the clip holding the Cross, and twelve signs of the Apocalypse on the sides. Also here you can see the images of the Holy Apostles Peter and the Apostle Paul, taken from the reconstruction after the fire.
The mosaic depiction of St. Peter, which for many years was considered part of the facade of the Vatican Basilica and preserved in the Vatican, was recognized as part of the figure of the apostle on the apse arch.
Kiborius Arnolfo di Cambio in 1285 updated the dangerous apse and created a "habitat" - the home for the poorest pilgrims. Here they could relax and gain strength.
Remarkable details
The photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rome shows that in the center of the transept of the basilica, under the triumphal arch, is Ziborium, a wonderful work in the Gothic style of Arnolfo di Cambio, which he built on the instructions of Abbot Bartolomeo in 1285 in collaboration with a master named Petrus.
Made of marble, it consists of a Gothic ediculum supported by four Corinthian columns of red porphyry (replaced in 19th century restoration), which has four tubercles on its sides that open with pointed arches inward.
In four corners, in niches crowned with triangular tubercles, are the statues of San Paolo, San Pietro, San Benedetto and San Timoteo. Above, the sculptural work ends with a tall cusp, crowned with a golden cross and supported by a small loggia with openings in the Gothic style.
In the period immediately following the opening of the restored basilica after the disastrous fire of 1823, the kiborium was covered with a large canopy in a neoclassical style, and then destroyed. Next to the cyborium is the candelabra of the Easter candle, created by Pietro Vassalletto and Nicolo d'Angelo in 1170 and depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, alternating with floral motifs.
Tips for visitors
Many tourists are interested in the question of how to get to St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome. This is the southern district of the city, where at a distance of two kilometers are Aurelian walls. Address: Piazzale San Paolo, 1.
Attractions can be reached by metro and buses of route 23 and 769. Tram number 2 also goes here.
Opening hours of St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome: daily, 7:00 - 18:30. The monastery and cloister can be accessed between 8:00 a.m. - 6:15 p.m. You can confess at this time: 7:00 - 12:30, 16:00 - 18:30.
Opinion of the Pilgrims
In reviews of St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome, there is delight. Pilgrims claim that this architectural landmark has a special atmosphere. The richness of the interior, the monumentality of the style of construction is impressive.
To summarize
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Rome - a temple with unusually bright energy. It is definitely worth a visit to those who find themselves in Rome.