Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura

Vespa and electric scooter tour to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Discover the history of this papal basilica with an exclusive Vespa tour among the beauty of Rome. Travel Rome on two wheels and stop to visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and organize a bike tour. Rome tour by tuk-tuk: stop at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Discover St. Paul’s Basilica on an eco-friendly and fun tuk-tuk tour among the city’s landmarks.

What you need to know about the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome and is dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle, whose body is buried under the high altar. This basilica is located outside the ancient Aurelian Walls, from which it takes its name, along the Via Ostiense.

History and Architecture: Built in the 4th century at the behest of Emperor Constantine, the basilica was expanded and embellished over the centuries. After a devastating fire in 1823, it was rebuilt with contributions from several nations, retaining its early Christian style. The interior is vast and decorated with extraordinary mosaics and frescoes, with a large central nave and rows of imposing columns.

Mosaics and Iconography: Above the apse, a mosaic dating from the 13th century depicts Christ blessing, surrounded by saints and angels. Portraits of all the popes, from St. Peter to the current pontiff, also decorate the walls of the main nave.

The Cloister: One of the most fascinating elements is the cloister, created by the Vassallettos, a family of Roman marble workers. The richly decorated columns and gardens make it a place of peace and contemplation.

Tomb of St. Paul: Beneath the high altar is the tomb of the apostle Paul, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. Recent excavations have confirmed the authenticity of the burial, making the site even more significant.

Structure and Dimensions: At 131 meters long and 65 meters wide, the basilica is second in size only to St. Peter’s. The nave is particularly wide and high, with a gilded and decorated ceiling. The interior has a majestic and spacious appearance, and is embellished with monolithic granite columns delimiting the aisles.

The Doors: An interesting detail are the doors of the basilica. The Holy Door, located to the right of the main entrance, is opened only during the Jubilee, while the bronze door, created in 1931 by sculptor Antonio Maraini, shows scenes from the life of St. Paul and biblical episodes. The carved scenes depict salient events such as St. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

The Apse and Mosaics: The apse contains a mosaic depicting Christ Blessing surrounded by symbols of the four evangelists and Saints Peter, Andrew, and Paul. This mosaic was made in the 13th century by Venetian artists on commission from Pope Honorius III. The vivid colors and stylized depictions are an excellent example of the Byzantine art that characterized many of the Roman churches of the time.

The Paschal Cand elabra: Inside is a beautiful 12th-century Easter candelabra decorated with bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes. This candelabra, more than 5 meters high, is a Romanesque work of art by master Nicolo di Angelo and is one of the basilica’s most valuable decorative elements.

The Cloister: The Cosmatesque cloister is one of the basilica’s main attractions, with its ornate columns alternating geometric and plant motifs. Built between 1220 and 1241 by the Vassallettos, it houses mosaics and inlays of colored marble. Walking through the cloister offers a contemplative experience and insight into medieval monastic life.

Events and Celebrations: Being a papal basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls is the site of important liturgical celebrations, especially for the Feast of St. Paul, June 29, when the basilica welcomes numerous faithful to commemorate the saint. This basilica is a symbol of unity among the Christian churches and regularly hosts ecumenical and interfaith events, welcoming pilgrims and visitors from different denominations and cultures.

Curiosities

The Legend of the Mosaic of the Popes: A distinctive feature of the basilica is the series of medallions along the nave depicting all the popes, from St. Peter to the present. A popular legend says that once the spaces for the pontiffs’ portraits run out, the world will end. To this day, however, there is still room for several popes!

The Mystery of St. Paul’s Tomb: The tomb of St. Paul was debated for centuries, but in 2006, archaeologist Giorgio Filippi announced that he had discovered a marble slab engraved with the words “Paulo Apostolo Mart(yri)” under the high altar. Further excavations confirmed that the slab is indeed associated with the original tomb of St. Paul, confirming the authenticity of the site.

The Second Fire of 1823: Not many people know that the basilica suffered a very serious fire in 1823, when a worker forgot to light a stove while repairing the roof. The flames almost completely destroyed the original structure, which was then rebuilt while maintaining as much of the original features as possible. Several states, including Russia, Austria, France and the king of Egypt, contributed financially to the reconstruction, making St. Paul Outside the Walls a symbol of international unity.

Miraculous Column: According to one tradition, one of the basilica’s marble columns (near the high altar) was broken by St. Paul himself, who is said to have struck it to demonstrate the power of his faith. This legend has no historical corroboration, but the column has always been an object of veneration by pilgrims.

St. Benedict’s Chapel and the Benedictine Order: Since the Middle Ages, the basilica has been entrusted to the Benedictine Order, which resides in the adjoining monastery. This makes St. Paul Outside the Walls the focal point for Benedictines from all over the world, and in St. Benedict’s chapel one can find various objects and symbols related to the order’s founder.

The Obelisk and John XXIII Square In the square in front of the basilica, John XXIII Square, stands an obelisk erected in 1929 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Italian state. Although not as old as other Roman obelisks, it is an important symbol linking the basilica to modern Rome.

The Bronze Doors and Precious Sarcophagus: In addition to the bronze door carved by Maraini, the basilica contains an ancient sarcophagus decorated with vine motifs and acanthus leaves, typical of Christian symbolism, which is believed to have been part of St. Paul’s original burial.

The International Collaboration for Restoration: After the fire, reconstruction was funded by foreign nations and clergy from around the world, making St. Paul Outside the Walls an “international” basilica.

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