Approximately one mile south of the Colosseum is the Archbasilica San Giovanni in Laterano. Built in 314 AD by Emperor Constantine the Great, it is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome (The Pope). This is the first Christian Church built in Rome, and in the whole world. As such, it is designated as an arch-basilica and as the Mother Church of all churches. The Archbasilica San Giovanni ranks above all other churches within the Catholic community, including St. Peter's. It was built over the remains of a second century fort of the Mounted Imperial Guards and over the first century palace of the Family Laterani (thus the reason for the name San Giovanni in Laterano).
The front of San Giovanni in Laterano.
The arch basilica was the residence of the Popes until 1377, when the Papacy returned from exile in Avignone and moved to the Vatican.
The original building was supposedly constructed for public meetings and the administration of justice.
One of the secrets of the arch basilica: by standing in the corner of any of the rounded archways, one can clearly hear the echo of softly spoken whispers from the diagonally opposite pillar.
Apparently, it only works on the diagonal and not on the arches next to each other. The couple in these two pictures were from France. They had told us of this unique feature.
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