#bucketlistreboot #gooutside #basilica

Getting There - Rome Basilica San Paolo, metro B, bus 23, 128, 766, Attractions - Basilica Papale San Paolo Hotels - yes Food & Restaurants - yes Shopping - yes souvenirs The sacred building we are about to describe was constructed outside the walls of Rome to honour the mortal remains of the apostle and martyr St Paul, to preserve his memory and to celebrate his cult. With the Edict of Milan in the year 313, the persecution of Christians ceased and the emperor Constantine had a basilica built over the tomb of the apostle of the gentiles who had been beheaded in the year 67 and buried in the necropolis near the Roman Via Ostiensis. The Constantinian basilica, entered from the east, quickly proved inadequate. It was replaced by the grandiose second basilica (known as “the basilica of the three emperors”) inaugurated by Pope Siricius in the year 390. The new basilica faced towards the river Tiber. Embellished down the centuries it lasted until 1823 when it was largely destroyed by a great fire. On 10 December 1854 Pope Pius IX dedicated the third and current basilica, a monumental building in the neo-classical style rebuilt with the same dimensions as the previous one. The architect responsible was Luigi Poletti. In the complex of St Paul’s visitors will encounter traces of different periods: early-Christian, Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance. It is hoped that the beauty of this sacred edifice dedicated to St Paul may continue today to serve the universal mission of proclaiming salvation in Christ. Of that salvation the apostle himself was an untiring messenger. Between 2 May and 17 November 2006 a delicate archaeological excavation took place in the area under the high altar (“the altar of the confession”). This led to the opening of the place where the sarcophagus rests. Since 2007 it has been possible to go down and pray before the sarcophagus of Paul, now partially visible. in front of the cathedral or basilica is a wide park or playground wherein most people used to pause a while and relax. the building is stunning how the bricks, marbles, the ceiling, walls and floor were made. Inside the moment I visited were the archbishops and priest having their ceremony. You can also find the pictures of the Pope (from the first and the present time) on the upper right side of the wall. So much rooms that you can pray on your own. There's also a place of confession wherein the priest is also waiting and available.