Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura
Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura
5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
At the beginning of the 4th century, with the end of the persecutions and the promulgation of the Edicts of Tolerance in favour of Christianity, Emperor Constantine ordered the excavation of the cella memoriae, the place where Christians venerated the memory of Saint Paul the Apostle, beheaded under Nero around 65-67 A.D. Above his grave, located along the Ostiense Way, about two kilometers outside the Aurelian Walls surrounding Rome, Constantine built a Basilica which was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324. Between 384 and 395 the Basilica, under the emperors Theodosius, Valentinian II and Arcadius, was restored and enlarged according to an extensive project consisting of five naves opening out into an atrium (quadriportico), or courtyard with four rows of columns. Throughout the centuries the Basilica would not cease to be embellished and enhanced by the Popes. For example, the massive defensive wall was built to protect against invasions at the end of the ninth century, while the bell tower and the magnificent Byzantine door were constructed in the eleventh century. Other important additions include Pietro Cavallini’s mosaics in the facade, the beautiful Vassalletto family’s cloister, Arnolfo di Cambio’s celebrated Gothic baldachin and the Candelabrum for the Paschal candle attributed to Nicola d’Angelo and Pietro Vassalletto of the thirteenth century. This historical period represents the golden age of what had been the biggest Basilica of Rome, until the consecration of the new Basilica of St. Peter in 1626. This sacred place of Christian pilgrimage was well-known for its artistic works. On the night of July 15, 1823, a fire destroyed this unique testimony to the Paleo-Christian, Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Basilica was reconstructed identically to what it had been before, utilizing all the elements which had survived the fire. In 1840 Pope Gregory XVI consecrated the Altar of the Confession and the Transept. Other embellishments followed the reconstruction. In 1928 the portico with 150 columns was added. Contemporary work in the Basilica has uncovered the tomb of the Apostle, while other important and beneficial works are carried out, as in the past, thanks to the generosity of Christians from all over the world. In the fifth century under the Pontificate of Leo the Great, the Basilica became the home of a long series of medallions which would to this day depict all the popes throughout history. This testifies, in an extraordinary way, to “the very great, the very ancient and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul” (Saint Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 3, 3,2). Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls constitutes an extra-territorial complex (Motu Proprio by Pope Benedict XVI, 30 May 2005), administered by an Archpriest. In addition to the Papal Basilica, the entire complex includes a very ancient Benedictine Abbey, restored by Odon of Cluny in 936. This Abbey remains active even today under the direction of its Abbot who retains his ordinary jurisdiction intra septa monasterii. The Benedictine Monks of the ancient Abbey, founded near the tomb of the Apostle by Pope Gregory II (715-731), attend to the ministry of Reconciliation (or Penance) and the promotion of special ecumenical events. It is in this Basilica that every year on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, January 25, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity solemnly opens. The Pope has specified two privileged tasks for this Papal Basilica: the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Penance) and the development and organization of ecumenical initiatives. On June 28, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Basilica and announced that the following year would be designated the “Pauline Year” to commemorate the bimillennium of the birth of Saint Paul. Thus, the “Pauline Year” was run from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ostiense
How to get there
- Basilica S. Paolo • 3 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
3,627 reviews
Excellent
2,891
Very good
635
Average
89
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Lynne S
Winnipeg, Canada98 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
I’ve been cogitating on this review ever since I got home, and it’s really difficult to adequately describe the experience. As a Catholic, I found it profoundly spiritual. As a student of classical art and architecture I found it stunningly beautiful. Overall, I was overwhelmed. I spent the better part of the day visiting every crevice I was allowed to enter. Each more beautiful than the last. The mediaeval cloisters were amazing. The church was mostly empty, so I had the chance to sit and just let the experience wash over me. When I return to Rome I will be visiting again.
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margueriteevel
New York City, NY67 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Beautiful inside and out. Love the colors. We saw a concert here of the Vienna Boys choir with orchestra, nice ambience.
Written 7 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesca
1 contribution
Jun 2021
I visited it in June, entry was free and I honestly believe it's the most beautiful abbey I have ever seen. I really liked visiting it. I also had the chance to see a work of Raphael, one of my favorite artists.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve W
1,276 contributions
Jan 2020
this was amazing and we had a great time walking around the grounds And the building it was very impressive and was pleased to call there the price was very good
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelly M
Post Falls, ID500 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
I probably shouldn't review churches as I am one of those who is appalled and a little turned off by all the garish opulence of the Catholic churches. It hurts my soul to think of all the people who could've been (could be) helped by the money that has been poured into places like this. Yes, it's beautiful and I get the fact that people believe that there are remains of Paul here, but still. What we have here is a coffee shop, gelato shop, souvenir shop and a church. Oh, and armed police.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manuela L
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg7,086 contributions
Nov 2018
It's St. Paiul's church outside the Wallsand one of the four patriarchal churchs of Rome, and occuping the site of St. Paul's tomb; nice renovation of the basilica after an devasting fire in1800; wonderfull mosaics and enclosing a wonderful rose garden.
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teodor Stelian
18 contributions
Sep 2019
This church... So beautiful inside and outside. I was shocked by it. It's a must when you go to Rome. Also, for 1 euro you get a nice underground exposition and for 4 euros you get another exposition with old church items. Just amazing.
Written 22 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reyan11
Kaithal, India124 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Just obverse the peace of mind by spending time here. Beautiful and well maintained. Great work by the architectures
Written 14 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunny
Belgium65 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
This is my favorite Rome Church. They display the chain that held Saint Paul when he was a prisoner in Rome. The beautiful building itself js delightful. So moving to see.
Off the beaten track; take public transportation to get there.
Also they have an extensive gift shop and a snack bar.
Off the beaten track; take public transportation to get there.
Also they have an extensive gift shop and a snack bar.
Written 28 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia26,335 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura is one of the 4 papal basilicas along with San Pietro, San Giovanni in Laterano and Santa Maria Maggiore. You can say "must see" for tourists. UNESCO gives the status of the Basilica, too, including it in the World heritage, specifically pointing to it. All that matters if You're not a Christian. If You belong to a Christian community, the only thing that matters is the burial place of the Apostle Paul. The fact that for Christians the immutable truth, for the rest only probability. Why probability? The time interval between the execution of Paul in 64-67 years and the construction of the Basilica is 250 years. The probability of preserving the grave of a criminal under Roman law, executed under Emperor Nero is small. At the same time, the historicity of the Apostle Paul (Saul), unlike the historicity of Christ, is not disputed. It is the Apostle Paul, who is not one of the 12 apostles (that is, who never knew Christ personally), who is the Creator of the Christian Church as a political organization. The Church, which stood over the supposed tomb of the Apostle from the IV century, burned down on the July night of 1823 - a worker on the roof forgot a bowl of coal. Heavenly protection was powerless, but more reliable fire protection is not installed. Almost everything there was to see - Pietro Cavallini, Arnolfo di Cambio, benozzo Gozzoli and Antoniazzo Romano - was burned in the fire. Only the apse with arnolph's altar canopy and the Church yard survived. The reconstruction was carried out more than a century and finished less than a century ago. The colonnade of 146 granite columns surrounding the Western courtyard of the temple was completed in 1890-1928 .The interior of the Cathedral is a rich decoration in the style of classicism and Neoclassicism, so it does not make such an impression as the Baroque churches of Rome. San Paolo takes the scope, breadth and height. It is the second largest Church in Rome. St. Paul will meet You at the entrance. With a sword. Is Christ treated the word, but the word is not enough for the political organization, you need a sword. And as you know: "Who comes with a sword, he will die by the sword." This is also about Paul. It's all good written by Alain Badiou in the book about the universalism of the Apostle Paul.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joel T
Osasco, SP
gostaria de receber informações sobre abadia porque ha muitos mitos sobre o assunto ,uns falam que foi uma mulher chamada Otília que pediu o corpo de Paulo para sepultar , outros falam que foi o papa que mandou sepulta-lo em fim quem foi se puder me ajude obrigado.
MaltaMariosa
malta9 contributions
how do I go to san paolo fuori le mura from Roma Pantheon area?
Chris B
8 contributions
The way we did it was: walk back from the Pantheon to the Barbarini metro stop (it is a little bit of a hike). Take the red line to Termini and switch there to the blue line. Take the blue line down to the "Basilica S. Paolo" stop. It's right around the corner from that stop.
MaltaMariosa
malta9 contributions
how do I go to San Paolo fuori le mura from Rome?
BarbaraT20162016
Vancouver, Canada234 contributions
There is ametro just 100 mt from the Basilica.
Metro B: metro stop San Paolo
Confessarsi con padre aldo
Blasco155
Chies d'Alpago, Italy86 contributions
Mi spiace, non saprei rispondere.
Paolo-Chris
San Diego, CA955 contributions
What is the difference between the Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura (located at Via Ostiense,186) and the Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura (located at Piazzale San Paolo, 1)? They’re both referred to as St. Paul Outside the Walls, but they are 400 meters apart.
Thanks for your help!
Jaipi
Paris, France13 contributions
They are are the same place. The Basilica Papale was the Pope "old church" where St Paul died and before the move to Basilica San Pietro. When you visit, do not miss the St Paul's burial place (in the main church), the cloister and the very old church. For details in English, see wikipedia on Basilica_of_Saint_Paul_Outside_the_Walls
Marpor66
Island of Gozo, Malta5 contributions
Ciao, noi visieremo Roma ra due settimane e saremo al Hotel King in via Sistina.. potete dermi istruziioni per arrivare li con il metro per favore?
Mario S
34 contributions
Dalla stazione Termini, prendi il metro (rosso) scendi dopo due fermate. Piazza Barberini. Cammina verso via sistina. Arriverei nell Hotel in due minuti circa. Buone vaganze.
zzz m
Sochaczew, Poland
si puo entrare la basilica di san paolo fuori le mura domenica 25 gennaio 2015 alle 17.30 quando presiede Il santo Padre Francesco?
devi procurarti i biglietti che sono gratuiti ma necessari. Puoi richiederli alla prefettura della casa pontificia della Città del Vaticano, che si trova sul lato destro della piazza di San Pietro
Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura, Rome
Frequently Asked Questions about Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura
- Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura is open:
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura:
- (0.05 km) Palazzina Mariani
- (0.05 km) Campanile Suites
- (0.08 km) San Paolo Guest House
- (0.17 km) B&b Mr. Brown - San Paolo
- (0.17 km) St. Paul Palace Relais
- Restaurants near Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura:
- (0.04 km) Pizzeria Daniele
- (0.15 km) Saulo
- (0.09 km) Leccabaffo San Paolo
- (0.08 km) The Bridge - Food&Beer
- (0.26 km) Pizzeria I Gemelli