In one of the historic districts of the city, adjacent to St. John Lateran Basilica, the "Mater et Caput" of all the churches of Rome and the world, stands the Lateran Palace, the Papal seat and official residence of the Popes for many centuries.
Damaged several times over the centuries, by earthquakes, raids and invasions, and punctually restored, it was devastated by a fire in 1308: thus, upon the return of the papacy to Rome in 1377 after the ‘Avignon exile’ the popes fixed their residence at the Vatican. Although it is no longer inhabited, it will continue to keep intact its prerogative of Patriarchium, that is the House of the Bishop of Rome, in fact, all the popes elected to the throne of Peter have always celebrated their taking of possession in St. John Lateran Basilica
It is possible to access the site from Piazza di Porta San Giovanni, right next to the entrance of the Basilica, in small groups, accompanied by the wise guide of the Missionaries of Divine Revelation
At the end of the guided tour you will be able to discover the Eternal City aboard our Vatican&Rome Open Buses. Comfortably seated, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic tour and use the audio-guide system in eight languages that will accompany you on your visit. You will learn about events that have made history, you will learn anecdotes and you will appreciate the most beautiful views of the capital.
You can take advantage of the Hop On Hop Off formula which will allow you to get off and on at each stop for the whole day.
With just one ticket you can visit the Papal Apartments of the Lateran Palace and discover Rome aboard our Vatican&Rome Open Buses
Lateran Palace guided Tour
To visit the Lateran Palace it will be necessary to show up at least 15 minutes before the booking time and show the QR code directly at the entrance, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, next to the main entrance of St. John Lateran Basilica
Open Bus Vatican & Rome
In the vault of this room, instead, five episodes from the life of the prophet Elijah are represented, who as narrated in the Book of Kings who performed several miracles that anticipated those of our Lord Jesus Christ, among which the multiplication of flour and oil and the resurrection of a widow's son.
Also the vault of this room, which is the largest of the Pontifical Representative Apartment, has a decoration divided into five large compartments, where we find depicted some episodes from the life of Daniel, the last of the four great prophets who anticipated the coming of Christ.
A large coat of arms of Pope Sixtus V adorns the center of the vault of this room, surrounded by four episodes from the life of the prophet Samuel who, born of a sterile mother, is the initiator of the series of the kings of Israel "by anointing", with Saul as first king, then succeeded by David.
On the vault of this room, elegantly divided by rich gilded stuccos, five episodes from the life of King David are illustrated, from whose lineage Joseph, the putative father of Jesus, descends.
Explore the artistic treasures of the Lateran Palace and St. John Lateran Basilica. In a single visit you can discover the first residence of the Popes and the wonders of the oldest church.
A journey through the history of the Church aimed at getting to know part of a larger complex, which also includes St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cloister, the Baptistery, the Scala Santa and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum.
