Top Things to Do in San Giovanni
THE 10 BEST Things to Do in San Giovanni, Rome
Top Things to Do in San Giovanni
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228 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
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Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
San Giovanni
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
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Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
San Saba
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
San Giovanni
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
San Giovanni
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
San Giovanni
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Monti
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Tuscolano
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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San Giovanni
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
San Giovanni
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San Giovanni
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What travelers are saying
- Peter CIsland of Malta, Malta2,541 contributionsThe oldest and highest ranking of the four major papal basilicas, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome, the Pope, and is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. The Loggia delle Benedizioni forms an integral part of the basilica. Inside the Basilica you can admire the beautiful high altar, ciborium, decorative ceiling, chapels, frescoes and mant statues of saints. A truly worthwhile experience.Written February 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SimonOnVacationToronto, Canada364 contributionsOur group did quite a walk to be able to reach this place, and it was packed. Some of us were able to make the climb up on their knees, as did others.
This is the same set of stairs brought by St Helena from Jerusalem and it was believed that Jesus climbed the stairs when he was sentenced by Pilate.Written February 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jo T4 contributionsGorgeous church with incredible history! St Helena was a brilliant and courageous visionary! Constantine changed the history of Christianity forever. The relics here are some of the most important to the Christian faith. Beautifully presented for understanding, and great setting for reverent prayer. This visit helped our kids grow closer to their faith. The entire church is worth visiting and enjoying for prayer, rest, reflection and art appreciation. Check out Buoni Amici - an A plus restaurant if you need a place to eat between here and St. John Lateran.Written July 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The Spanish Steps ApartmentRome, Italy30,410 contributionsA wonderful free museum located inside the Saint Sebastiano Gate of the Aurelian Walls. Absolutely fabulous to walk the walls and climb the tower for the amazing view. The day we visited there was also a photography exhibit, some Ancient Rome re-enactors, and children's activities. Very worthwhile!Written November 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JamezDayton, OH48 contributionsThere are longer walls in China and higher walls in Constantinople but these walls, well these walls speak to you of great men and gathering danger. Although there are many modern automobile-widened gates there are also many long stretches of quiet, grassy, and private areas in which to contemplate the effort required to breach these imposing walls. Do yourself a favor and spend some quality time with these walls.Written October 11, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dapper777Monaco32,690 contributionsIt took us two visits to the Baptistery to understand its plan, to read some literature about it and we finally were able to admire it in all its areas.
The Lateran Baptistery (real name S. Giovanni in Fonte, "St. John of the water spring") is the oldest monumental Baptistery, as it was built at the behest of the Emperor Constantine as a place where the Christian community could solemnly celebrate the sacraments of initiation.
The external frieze, from 1657, decorated with the Chigi family coats of arms, is the work of Francesco Borromini.
Of particular interest is the ancient entrance with a fragment of a Roman architrave.
The interior has an octagonal plan. In the center, there is a ring of eight porphyry columns with Corinthian capitals supporting an octagonal architrave.
Above is a second order of smaller columns, in white marble.
The ancient portico of the Baptistery was transformed in 1054 into two chapels: respectively the chapel of the SS. Rufina and Seconda and the Chapel of SS. Cyprian and Justina, inside which, in a small apse, there is a 5th century mosaic.
The construction was subsequently remodeled in the fifth century by Pope Sixtus III to whom we owe the octagonal plan that still exists.
Heavy new restorations were necessary due to fires that devastated the basilica and the surrounding buildings.
To facilitate the influx of the faithful, Pope Gregory XI created a new entrance to the basilica along the north wall of the transept, later made grand as a a monument by Pope Sixtus V through the construction of a portico with the Loggia delle Benedizioni.
Crossing the threshold of the current entrance towards the square, the interior of the baptistery immediately appears as a whole, showing on the ground the large coat of arms with the bees of the family of Pope Urban VIII Barberini by Francesco Borromini and dates back to 1657 .
On the walls, above, modern copies of works by Andrea Sacchi with stories by Giovanni Battista and, below, frescoes with stories about Emperor Constantine, works by A. Camassei, G. Gimignani and C. Maratta.
At the center of a sixteenth-century circular compound is a depression with a balustrade all around it, with the baptismal font in the center: a green basalt urn with a bronze cover by Ciro Ferri.
During the reign of Pope Hilary, the Baptistery was made more precious by the addition of three chapels that opened on three sides: the chapel dedicated to St.John the Baptist, on the west side, has an oval shape and a domed vault, portal with two columns of porphyry on white marble bases and Corinthian capitals supporting the white marble architrave. Above the altar, a tabernacle consisting of two fluted serpentine spiral columns with gilt bases and capitals and a white marble architrave.
Then there was the chapel of the Holy Cross, on the north side, which was eliminated in 1586 by Sixtus V to build the Loggia on the north façade.
Finally there was the chapel on the east side, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, who it retains its original shape as a Greek cross with a central mosaic. At the entrance, the bronze doors, made at the end of the 12th century, by Pietro and Uberto da Piacenza. A niche on the altar houses the bronze statue of the saint by Luigi Valadier in 1772. On the vault and on the walls there are valuable late Mannerist style frescoes.
Now this chapel has been turned into the Sacresty, it's named also Chapel Albobrandini and is closed to the public
Particularly important is the Chapel dedicated to San Venantius of Solona and other Dalmatian martyrs: the present edifice was commissioned by Pope John IV, who was a Dalmatian himself. It has a wooden ceiling from the 16th century and Byzantine mosaics in the triumphal arch of the apse.
The ceiling is coffered, and is unpainted. The oval central coffer contains a carving of The Assumption of Our Lady with stars.
The tympanum with four columns, the altar and the memorials which flank it are by Carlo Rainaldi, who designed also the memorials, which were sculpted by Jacopo Antonio Fancelli, a pupil and assistant of Bernini.
Each has a white marble effigy in high relief, of the deceased kneeling at a prie-dieu, flanked by a pair of dark grey marble Composite columns supporting an omega cornice. The latter shelters a family coat-of-arms, and has a pair of putti sitting on it by Pietro Paolo Naldini.
Higly recommended.Written April 14, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - The Spanish Steps ApartmentRome, Italy30,410 contributionsA massive and very well preserved gate, part of the Aurelian walls that surround Rome. Inside is a wonderful free museum (Museo delle Mura) where you can walk through the walls and then climb up on one of the towers for a fabulous view.Written November 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gill10 contributionsWe at ayes 7 nights half board. The rooms were OK for the price, the TV took up the whole desk in our room, and rather spookily turned itself on at 4 am one morning! We could have done without it, or perhaps it being wall mounted would give more space.For that length of stay a distinct lack of hangers and drawer space. The single room was superior and had a kettle and coffee making facilities, so may be worth upgrading. Having said that the room was comfortable and very clean. The staff were just great. Really helpful and friendly, especially in the roof top terrace where we ate each night. The food was very good. The hotel was very clean throughout. Also very handy for getting to a lot of places. There is an information kiosk across the road by the tram stops to get tickets for public transport.
Very good value for money.
We will definitely stay here again when we go back to Rome .Written September 6, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Deb WReno, NV2,571 contributionsIf you like Obelisks this is a nice one to look at. It's near the Spanish Steps so you are likely to see it without going out of your way.Written June 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dapper777Monaco32,690 contributionsThe San Lorenzo district, nestled between Termini station, La Sapienza University and the Verano Monumental Cemetery, has always been known as the most alternative area of Rome.
This area, in perpetual creative ferment, is full of historical memories and 'heart'.
A working-class district heavily bombed during the Second World War, San Lorenzo has a gritty and resistant nature that favors the expression of the most sincere creativity.
Walking along its streets will allow you to admire many colorful murals and various examples of street art.
In Villa Mercede, the green corner of the neighborhood that houses a small library, you can relax and then resume walking up to Porta Tiburtina, which opens inside the Aurelian Walls.
The most important thing, however, is to visit as many restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in the neighborhood as possible.
A must visit!Written July 13, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - michelerJ3576IHCape Town, South Africa4 contributionsCame upon this ice cream store by accident. Far superior ice cream than any of those that the usual reviewers gush about. Great staff, good pricing, generous helpings ,and as an ice cream fanatic I rate it as the best ice cream I tasted in Rome. I had lemon with some kind of berry, and it was superb. Highly recommended.Written October 29, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robb HNew York City, NY1,086 contributionsWe had read about this unusual burial crypt and realized it was difficult to arrange. We contacted our guide Silvia Prosperi and she was about to obtain the permit and arrange for the appoint with the Parks Department representative to open it.
We learned there are many sights like this that can only be opened by appointment.Written November 2, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dapper777Monaco32,690 contributionsThe church of San Giovanni a Porta Latina, so called due to its proximity to the Latin Gate, was founded by pope Gelasius I in the 5th century, rebuilt by pope Adrian I in 772 and restored in 1191.
According to a very ancient tradition concerning St John the Evangelist, the church was built in memory of the miraculous event in which St. John underwent the test of boiling oil and emerged unhurt: the miracle is remembered by the adjacent little chapel of San Giovanni in Oleo, or "St John in Oil"
Originally the church was run by a spiritual congregation devoted to poverty but over time it came under different managements.
In the early years of the twentieth century, when it was run by the cloistered nuns, the Blue Sisters of the Ss. Annunziata (from the colour of their religious dress), medieval frescoes were found and that started a general cleaning work.
Today the church, certainly one of the most suggestive of the ancient Roman churches, is highly symbolic and evocative, especially after the great restoration of 1940 due to the Rosminian Father: in the meantime they had taken over the officiation (and they still manage it), which restored the ancient medieval form of the church.
The façade, which has three arched windows at the top, is preceded by a portico with five arches, made up of four marble and granite columns and decorated with three Ionic capitals and one Doric.
Under the portico, on the right, there is the original cusp (jokingly nicknamed "the artichoke") of the small chapel of San Giovanni in Oleo, on which a plaster cast by the architect Paolo Marconi was placed in 1967.
On the left stands the slender five-storey Romanesque bell tower from the 12th century, with a square shape: the first storey has a single closed lancet window, the second storey has a mullioned window with arches resting on pillars, while the last three storeys have mullioned windows on small columns and capitals. The belfry preserves a bell from 1723. Unfortunately, only a few traces remain of the ancient medieval frescoes that covered the portico and part of the façade.
In the courtyard, shaded by a tall and ancient cedar, which some say is no longer there, there is an ancient well from the 9th century.
It is flanked by two columns with capitals with leaves from the 4th century, which bear the baptismal formula engraved around the opening: "In Nomine Pat(ris) et filii et Spi(ritus sant)i", the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Omn(e)s Sitie(ntes) Venite ad aquas )", which means: "Come to the waters, all of you who are thirsty" , and the probable signature of the engraver, "EGO STEFANUS", "Me, Stephan".
The interior retains the simple and ancient harmony of the original forms, divided into three naves by two rows of five columns each in different marble, supporting semicircular arches.
Around the altar there are remains of a Cosmatesque floor with a geometric design while on the altar step itself the ancient "title" of the Church, found during the last restoration, is written in Roman capital letters: "Tit. St. Ioannis Ante Portam La(tinam".
The cycle of 12th-century frescoes that decorate the central nave, found during the restoration in 1940, represent 46 different scenes from the Old and New Testaments and are of extraordinary importance for the study of medieval art in Rome.
It is a lovely and peaceful corner of Rome, as if it has been frozen in time.
This Romanesque little church from the 5th century, which has remained intact over time will enchant you.Written January 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Eddie SMiami, FL643 contributionsThe church should be visited by all who want to experience our human values. I would say take your kids and entire family and read and spend some time in the church. I would have never gone if not for my Vatican guide telling me about it. I am so gratful i went. Let say you are not the most religious person, this is not only religious it is real life. I promise please go, it will change your life, it has changed mine. ESRWritten November 21, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kpiddyBrisbane, Australia12,256 contributionsThis bronze monument dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi is located in Giardini Viale Carlo Felice in the Esquilino District, for a pilgrim on route between the two important basilicas in this district, San Giovanni and Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, it would be hard to miss. The monument was built in 1927, Saint Francis stands on a stone brick platform with arms held high reaching to the sky, there are additional characters to the left-hand side of the saint.Written August 1, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.