Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran Arcibasilica Papale di San Giovanni in Laterano

Rome, Italy UNESCO World Heritage Site

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran
Photo: NikonZ7II, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is a Catholic cathedral, major basilica, and parish church located in Rome. It is one of the most looked-up sights in Italy and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the historic center of Rome. The structure features baroque and Neoclassical architecture, is 140 meters in length, and is built using marble, cement, and granite. It is dedicated to John the Evangelist, John the Baptist, and Salvator Mundi.

Planning a visit

Rome experiences mild winters with temperatures around 12 °C in January and February, though these months see regular rainfall of 65 mm. Spring and autumn bring moderate temperatures, with highs between 15 °C and 22 °C in May. Summer months are the warmest, with July and August reaching highs of 30 °C and lower rainfall, making them suitable for visitors who prefer drier weather. November is the wettest month, with 110 mm of rain.

The basilica is located 2 km from the center of Rome and is 12 km from Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport. It is open Monday to Sunday from 07:00 to 18:30, and the site is wheelchair accessible. As one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and part of the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See, it is a notable location. Nearby points of interest include the Scala Sancta, located 0.2 km away, and the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, 0.9 km away. Visitors can also combine a trip here with visits to the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Arch of Constantine, all situated within 1.5 km of the basilica.

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is November, with about 110 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C121215182327303026211613
Average low, °C446913172020171395
Rainfall, mm65655674523223307110111096
Rainy days119108117369111311

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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