Still in Rome

16 Feb 2009:  St John Lateran

Our sightseeing on 16 Feb 2009 included a visit to the Basilica of St John in the Lateran, which is the Pope's Cathedral.  Ali had always particularly liked its cloister, built in the early 13th century.

Ali with Bridie Harte in the Lateran cloister

The Lateran cloister

Ali and my mum outside the Lateran basilica

Same scene from a different angle

Next to the Lateran basilica is the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs - the Scala Sancta.  According to tradition, these are the stairs leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, which Jesus climbed prior to the trial which led to his Passion and death.  They were taken to Rome by St Helena, the mother of Constantine, in the 4th century.

With the Scala Sancta sanctuary in the background

Having now seen three of the four major basilicas of Rome (St Peter's, St Paul's Outside-the-Walls, and St John's in the Lateran) we went on to see the fourth - St Mary Major's.

The Basilica of St Major

16 Feb 2009:  Ali and mum at St Mary Major's