The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest of the four papal basilicas in Rome, honored with the title Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput ("Mother and Head of all the churches of the city and the world"). Founded in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, the basilica stands on lands once belonging to the Lateran family, donated to Pope Miltiades after the historic victory at the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius (312 AD).

With the Edict of Milan in 313, which sanctioned freedom of worship for Christians, the triumphal iconography of Christ emerged. Finally, from the catacombs, they found their home in this solemn building, initially consecrated to the Savior by Pope Sylvester I. Only in the 9th century, under Pope Sergius III, was the dedication extended to St. John the Baptist. Over the centuries, the basilica has undergone profound transformations: In 1650, on the occasion of the Jubilee, Pope Innocent X entrusted Francesco Borromini with the radical restoration of the interior. The famous architect transformed The central nave was opened with majestic arches and monumental niches, which today house the colossal statues of the Apostles (over 4 meters tall).
Despite the Baroque renovations, the church retains earlier treasures such as the precious Cosmatesque floor and the splendid coffered ceiling, the work of the cabinetmaker Flaminio Boulanger based on designs attributed to Michelangelo and Daniele da Volterra.
The current exterior façade, with its classical influence, was created by Alessandro Galilei in 1735, winner of a competition announced by Pope Clement XII.

At the center of the basilica stands the papal altar, protected by a sumptuous Gothic ciborium by Giovanni di Stefano. The apse houses the Papal Chair, symbol of the Holy See, which confirms San Giovanni as the official seat of the Bishop of Rome. Outside, the façade of the right transept (designed by Domenico Fontana) overlooks the square dominated by the Lateran Obelisk, the tallest monolith in the world.

A true jewel of medieval art is the cloister, a masterpiece of the Vassalletto family (13th century). This space, the only surviving part of the Benedictine monastic complex, enchants with its columns inlaid with marble and gold tesserae, which surround a central well from the 9th century.

A few steps from the basilica stands the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. According to tradition, its 28 white marble steps are the ones ascended by Jesus in Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem. Even today, thousands of faithful climb the stairs exclusively on their knees, as a sign of profound devotion to the Passion of Christ.