Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four major papal basilicas of Rome, built over the burial place of the Apostle Paul beyond the ancient Aurelian Walls, which gives the church its name. First raised under Emperor Constantine in the fourth century and greatly enlarged thereafter, it was for centuries the largest church in Rome until the rebuilding of St. Peter's.
A catastrophic fire in 1823 destroyed much of the early Christian basilica, and the present church is a faithful nineteenth-century reconstruction on the original plan, with a vast colonnaded nave, a serene cloister of the adjoining Benedictine abbey, and a celebrated series of mosaic portrait medallions of all the popes encircling the interior. Beneath the high altar lies the tomb traditionally venerated as that of Saint Paul.
As a papal basilica enjoying Vatican extraterritorial status, Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and a major destination, especially during Holy Years. Its monumental scale, glittering mosaics and ancient associations with the apostle make it among the most important churches in the Christian world.
- Location
- 41.8587, 12.4767
- Local time
- 00:38 (Europe/Rome)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sun | 07:00–18:30 |
Free entry to basilica; cloister 09:00-17:30 (paid).
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint Paul the Apostle Saint
His tomb lies beneath the papal altar, with his relic chains displayed nearby; the basilica is built over his grave.
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Saint Timothy Saint
Disciple of St Paul; relics venerated together with the Apostle at the basilica.
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Saint Stephen Saint
The first martyr has a dedicated 19th-century chapel (Cappella di Santo Stefano) by Poletti.
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Saint Benedict Saint
Patriarch of Western monasticism; the basilica is served by Benedictine monks and has a chapel dedicated to him.
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Saint Lawrence Saint
Roman deacon-martyr with a dedicated chapel rebuilt by Carlo Maderno for the 1625 Jubilee.
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Saint Peter Saint
Co-founder of the Roman Church, jointly commemorated with St Paul, whose chains are processed on their shared June 29 feast.
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