Rome - St Paul Outside the Walls

(Local Name: San Paolo fuori le Mura) The remains have so far been found of the early Christian chapel built in the time of Constantine (fourth century) over the grave of St Paul, well outside the city on the road to Ostia; but it seems certain that Paul - who according to tradition was beheaded in A.D. 67 and buried by the Via Ostiensis - was venerated in early times at the site of the present church. In order to do honor to the Apostle the Emperors of the fourth and fifth centuries built a basilica which until the rebuilding of St Peter's was the largest in the world. This church was damaged on various occasions by earthquake and fire, and finally was completely destroyed by fire as a result of the carelessness of a plumber on July 15th 1823. Thereafter it was rebuilt, with financial assistance from many countries, and reopened in 1854. San Paolo is one of the four patriarchal churches of Rome (the others being St John Lateran, St Peter's and Santa Maria Maggiore) and one of the seven pilgrimage churches (the patriarchal churches together with Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura and San Sebastiano).

Following its 19th century rebuilding San Paolo is notable particularly for its basilican plan, following the early Christian model, and for a number of fine works of art.