Battistero Lateranense

San Giovanni & Testaccio


Built by Constantine in the 4th century, this octagonal baptistery served as the prototype for later Christian churches and bell towers. The chief point of interest, apart from the architecture, are the decorative mosaics, some of which date to the 5th century.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Giovanni & Testaccio attractions

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2. Palazzo Laterano

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Palazzo Laterano was the official papal residence until the pope moved to the Vatican in 1377. Adjacent to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, it's…

5. Triclinium Leoninum

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This showy brick facade adorned with a gold apse mosaic is an 18th-century reconstruction of the end wall of the banqueting hall in the original Palazzo…

6. Museo Storico della Liberazione

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7. Palazzo Merulana

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Housed within the splendidly restored Palazzo Merulana, this impressive museum exhibits artworks sourced from the Elena and Claudio Cerasi Foundation (the…

8. Basilica dei SS Quattro Coronati

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This brooding fortified church harbours some lovely 13th-century frescoes and a delightful hidden cloister, accessible from the left-hand aisle. The…