Basilica San Paolo fuori le Mura

After the execution and burial of Stain Paul in the 1st Century, a shrine over his grave was built. In 324 a church was built by Emperor Constantine. In 386 Emperor Theodosius tore down that chuch and built a larger basilica finished in 395. Although it has been restored many times it is reported to look basically the same as the 4th Century structure.

In 883 the walls and the tower around the church were completed. The walls paid off as they held back attacks by Emperor Henry IV.

The cloisters were built between 1220 and 1241.

In 1823 what is known as the great fire, caused by a workman doing work on the lead roof destroyed the bascilica. Money from around the world came to have it rebuilt. All that remains of the original medieval basilica is the 13th century aspe mosaic.

In the cloisters that is an incription done in mosaics. It is a poem describing the importance of cloisters in the life of a monk and the role the cloisters play in meditation and study. There is a statue of Pope Boniface IX in the cloisters.

San Paolo fuori le Mura is located on via Ostiense, 186 and you can take the metro, get off at the Basicilica San Paolo stop.

The cloisters are open daily 9 to 1 and 3 to 6.