St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura)

User Review:

• In Rome less than a mile away from the Aurelian walls raises one of the four Rome Papal Basilicas, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura). The church as we see today is the result of a 19th century reconstruction. In 1823 a fire destroyed the Basilica and most of the artworks adorning it. From the original basilica remained only the magnificent 14th century mosaics by Pietro Cavallini, the richly decorated ciborium by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the cloister with its beautiful Cosmati pavement (Check Santa Prassede Church for similar decorations). An imposing statue of Saint Paul greets us as we enter the vast Neoclassical quadriportico (an open space surrounded by porticoes on all sides). The interior has 5 naves adorned with 80 monolithic columns from the original Basilica and frescoes. The large triumphal arch at the end of the huge nave is fully decorated with Cavallini mosaics depicting Christ's Benediction. best of all this Basilica is not on many tourists' map, very enjoyable to visit with children and easy to reach by metro/underground. Enjoy Rome!
• The description was provided by Nancy Aiello