{"id":22854,"date":"2025-01-30T09:45:10","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T09:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=22854"},"modified":"2025-02-05T08:39:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T08:39:24","slug":"st-paul-outside-the-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls","title":{"rendered":"Visiting St. Paul Outside the Walls: Rome\u2019s Hidden Basilica"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Rome is on a lot of people\u2019s minds this year. That\u2019s because <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/rome-2025-jubilee\">2025 is a Jubilee year<\/a>,<\/b> a Holy Year for Catholics that <b>takes place every quarter of a century. <\/b>Millions of Catholics from every corner of the planet will be making a pilgrimage to the Eternal City (and, of course, Vatican City) to show their devotion and piety.<\/p>\n<p>One of the Jubilee traditions is to pilgrimage to each of <b>Rome\u2019s four papal basilicas\u2014<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicasanpietro.va\/it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Saint Peter\u2019s<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/various\/basiliche\/san_giovanni\/index_it.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Saint John Lateran<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicasantamariamaggiore.va\/it.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Saint Mary Major<\/b><\/a><b>, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/basilicasanpaolo.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>St. Paul Outside the Walls<\/b><\/a>\u2014each one a masterpiece of historical art and architecture. Of the four, the basilica that gets the least attention\u2014because of its location on the periphery of Rome\u2014is <b>St. Paul Outside the Walls.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Before you visit, here are some interesting things to know about the <i>Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura<\/i>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21899\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21899\" class=\"wp-image-21899 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1140.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people exploring Trastevere neighborhood.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1140.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1140-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visiting Rome during a Jubilee year is a special time.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#The_origins_of_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\" >The origins of St. Paul Outside the Walls<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#Why_is_it_Outside_the_Walls\" >Why is it Outside the Walls?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#From_a_grave_to_a_chapel_to_a_basilica\" >From a grave to a chapel to a basilica<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#Visiting_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\" >Visiting St. Paul Outside the Walls<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#What_to_see_at_the_basilica\" >What to see at the basilica<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#The_papal_medallions_and_the_end_of_the_world\" >The papal medallions and the end of the world<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#The_tomb_of_St_Paul\" >The tomb of St. Paul<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#FAQ_about_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\" >FAQ about St. Paul Outside the Walls<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#Can_I_visit_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls_during_the_Jubilee_Year\" >Can I visit St. Paul Outside the Walls during the Jubilee Year?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#What_is_the_Holy_Door_and_why_is_it_open_during_the_Jubilee\" >What is the Holy Door, and why is it open during the Jubilee?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#Are_there_any_attractions_near_St_Pauls\" >Are there any attractions near St. Paul\u2019s?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#How_do_I_get_to_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\" >How do I get to St. Paul Outside the Walls?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/st-paul-outside-the-walls\/#What_is_the_connection_between_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls_and_the_Vatican\" >What is the connection between St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Vatican?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_origins_of_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\"><\/span>The origins of St. Paul Outside the Walls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To understand how St. Paul Outside the Walls came into existence, we have to go back to the<b> year 313 AD.<\/b> That\u2019s when everything changed in the Western world. That\u2019s when Roman general Constantine was preparing for a <b>huge battle just outside of Rome<\/b> against his rival, Maxentius. The winner would go on to become the <b>sole emperor:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The problem for Constantine was that Maxentius\u2019 army was much bigger; it seemed certain Constantine was in for a defeat. That is, until he supposedly and famously saw a <b>massive, flaming cross in the sky<\/b> with the inscription: \u201c<i>In Hoc Signo Vinces<\/i>,\u201d (\u201cBy This Sign, Conquer\u201d). And then his troops went out and smeared the opposition.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Well, Constantine\u2019s troops didn\u2019t exactly obliterate Maxentius\u2019. Instead, the opposing army, having replaced the Milvian Bridge with a span of boats across the Tiber, so Constantine\u2019s army would have trouble getting across it, actually had to use the <b>makeshift bridge themselves during the battle. <\/b>When they did, a large part of the army, including Maxentius, drowned. Chalk one up for Constantine.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>However he won,<\/b> Constantine, now emperor, saw this as a miracle and, as a result, Christianity\u2014once a wacky little religion\u2014became <b>officially tolerated<\/b> and, eventually, would become the <b>state religion of the Roman Empire.<\/b><b><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22856\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22856\" class=\"wp-image-22856 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/StPaul.jpg\" alt=\"St. Paul Outside the Walls on a cloudy day.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/StPaul.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/StPaul-768x506.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22856\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This gargantuan basilica should most definitely be on your itinerary, pilgrimage or not. Photo credit: <a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Roma_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_BW_1.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StPaul.jpg<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_it_Outside_the_Walls\"><\/span>Why is it <i>Outside<\/i> the Walls?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With Christianity <b>now an official religion of the Roman Empire, <\/b>Emperor Constantine set about to construct some temples of worship. One of the <b>first to be built was St. Paul.<\/b> The location is no accident. It was <b>chosen because it was the site of the <\/b><b><i>cella memoriae<\/i><\/b><b>, <\/b>the spot where early Christians came to pray to St. Paul the Apostle.<\/p>\n<p>In 67 AD, Paul and Peter met near this spot and <b>said farewell to each other one final time.<\/b> Days later, they would <b>both be executed.<\/b> While Peter was famously <b>crucified on Vatican Hill<\/b> (hence, the spot where his eponymous basilica sits today), Paul was said to have been <b>beheaded two miles outside of the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.turismoroma.it\/en\/places\/aurelian-walls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Aurelian Walls<\/b><\/a><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>After Paul was killed, a Roman named Lucina claimed his body and<b> buried it in a vineyard near the Tiber River. <\/b>Today there\u2019s a church built over the spot where Paul was executed called <i>San Paola alle Tre Fontane<\/i> (St. Paul at the Three Fountains). Legend says that when Paul was decapitated,<b> his head bounced three times,<\/b> and at each place where it landed,<b> a fountain sprung up.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22867\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22867\" class=\"wp-image-22867 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2023-09-04_22-08-42_001.jpg\" alt=\"View from outside the basilica in Rome. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2023-09-04_22-08-42_001.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2023-09-04_22-08-42_001-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22867\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">After a fire destroyed part of the exterior&#8217;s mosaic it was replaced with the one seen in this photo. Photo credit: <a class=\"new\" title=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2023-09-04_22-08-42_001.JPG\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Basilica_of_Saint_Paul_Outside_the_Walls_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_Rzym_Roma_Rome_(11710638674).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rita batacchi<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_a_grave_to_a_chapel_to_a_basilica\"><\/span>From a grave to a chapel to a basilica<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>About a decade later, Pope Anacletus had a small <b>chapel built over the supposed spot where Paul is buried. <\/b>In 324 Constantine had a church built on the site.<\/p>\n<p>A half-century later, with hundreds of Christians making pilgrimages here regularly, the emperor<b> knocked down Constantine\u2019s small church <\/b>and had a much larger one built. The building was first consecrated by Pope Innocent I in 402 and it was not finished until the reign of Leo I about 50 years later.<\/p>\n<p>That plus-sized house of piety is pretty much what you see today, save for some <b>19th-century renovation<\/b> that was done after a disastrous fire in July 1823.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22866\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22866\" class=\"wp-image-22866 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_WLM23_011.jpg\" alt=\"Mural inside a basilica in Rome. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_WLM23_011.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_WLM23_011-768x514.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22866\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Triumphal Arch was made to honor St. Paul. Photo credit: <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_WLM23_011.jpg\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_WLM23_011.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mentnafunangann<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visiting_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\"><\/span>Visiting St. Paul Outside the Walls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The first thing you may notice about this giant basilica is the arcaded courtyard\u2014the <b>largest of its kind in Rome. <\/b>There is a monumental statue of St. Paul in the center of the courtyard, sculpted out of Carrara marble by Giuseppe Obici in the 19th century.<\/p>\n<p>When standing at the facade, you\u2019ll see three doors. The <b>door to the right is the Holy Door, almost always closed.<\/b> But because this is a Jubilee year, the <b>door will be open <\/b>until Christmas Day 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Once inside the 440-foot-long nave, notice the vastness of the interior, set across by 5 aisles complete with 80 columns. <b>St. Paul is one of the 15 largest churches in the world (and second largest in Rome)<\/b> and it\u2019s easy to gauge its size from here. The gold interior is largely a 19th-century neoclassical creation, made after the great fire of 1823. The walls of the nave are also decorated with paintings that depict the life of St. Paul.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22864\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22864\" class=\"wp-image-22864 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_20231229-10.jpg\" alt=\"Hallway in the basilica \" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_20231229-10.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_20231229-10-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_20231229-10-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The interior is full of enormous marble columns and beautiful gold mosaics you won&#8217;t want to miss. Photo credit: <a title=\"User:Pymouss\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_20231229-10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pymouss<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_see_at_the_basilica\"><\/span>What to see at the basilica<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_papal_medallions_and_the_end_of_the_world\"><\/span>The papal medallions and the end of the world<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some of the most striking things about the interior of the basilica are the <b>265 large medallions that line the walls.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b>There is one for every pope\u2014though you may notice that only the most recent popes are likely represented accurately. From Saint Peter to Pope Francis, you can follow the line of the papacy while standing inside the nave.<\/p>\n<p>Legend says that when there is no more room for another papal medallion, <b>the world will come to an end. <\/b>True or not, you should not fear: there is enough space for at least 8 more popes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22861\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22861\" class=\"wp-image-22861 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2024-09-26_13-29-36_001.jpg\" alt=\"People walking inside the St. Paul Outside the Walls. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2024-09-26_13-29-36_001.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2024-09-26_13-29-36_001-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22861\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside the basilica, the current pope is always illuminated. Photo credit: <a class=\"new\" title=\"User:Anbonifacio (page does not exist)\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Roma_-_Basilica_di_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_-_2024-09-26_13-29-36_001.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anbonifacio<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_tomb_of_St_Paul\"><\/span>The tomb of St. Paul<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although it was a legend that the church was built over St. Paul\u2019s final resting place, church authorities <b>relied on faith <\/b>to assume this legend had merit. During the Jubilee year of 2000, many pilgrims had expressed disappointment that they <b>could not touch or even see the tomb <\/b>of St. Paul, the Apostle.<\/p>\n<p>And so in response to this, in 2002, Vatican archeologists went digging. And in December 2006, those same Vatican archeologists announced that they had, in fact, <b>found a white marble tomb underneath the altar<\/b> in St. Paul Outside the Walls.<\/p>\n<p>Three years later, Pope Benedict XVI announced the <b>results of a radiocarbon dating test <\/b>on the remains inside the sarcophagus below the altar in St. Paul\u2019s. The tomb and its remains <b>date back to the first or second century<\/b> &#8211; suggesting that they do, in fact, belong to St. Paul. Pilgrims visiting the Jubilee in 2025 will not be disappointed, as <b>they can see St. Paul\u2019s tomb for themselves.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Discover the three other papal basilicas in our articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/santa-maria-maggiore\">8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Rome\u2019s Santa Maria Maggiore Church<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/san-giovanni-in-laterano\">San Giovanni in Laterano: The Ultimate Guide to Rome\u2019s Overlooked Church<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/st-peters-basilica\">St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: A Journey Through Art, Architecture &amp; History<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22862\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22862\" class=\"wp-image-22862 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/St._Pauls_Tomb.jpg\" alt=\"Tomb of St. Paul at St. Paul Outside the Walls. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/St._Pauls_Tomb.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/St._Pauls_Tomb-768x618.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22862\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Look below the altar to see St. Paul&#8217;s tomb. Photo credit: <a title=\"User:StPaul.jpg\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:St._Paul%27s_Tomb.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StPaul.jpg<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_about_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\"><\/span>FAQ about St. Paul Outside the Walls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_visit_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls_during_the_Jubilee_Year\"><\/span>Can I visit St. Paul Outside the Walls during the Jubilee Year?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Absolutely!<\/b> During the 2025 Rome Jubilee, St. Paul Outside the Walls will be<b> open to pilgrims and visitors alike. <\/b>As one of the four major papal basilicas, it plays a central role in Jubilee celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>Visitors can walk through the Holy Door, a symbolic act of faith and renewal, which is <b>only open during Jubilee years.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The basilica is typically open daily. To make the most of your visit, consider <b>arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon<\/b> to avoid crowds.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19073\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-image-19073 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the Vatican\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Are you a history buff? Don&#8217;t miss out on visiting the Vatican&#8217;s art and historical artifacts.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Holy_Door_and_why_is_it_open_during_the_Jubilee\"><\/span>What is the Holy Door, and why is it open during the Jubilee?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Holy Door at St. Paul Outside the Walls is <b>one of four Holy Doors in Rome\u2019s papal basilicas.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Traditionally sealed and only opened during Jubilee years, it <b>symbolizes the path to salvation and forgiveness. <\/b>Pilgrims who walk through the Holy Door during a Jubilee year can receive a plenary indulgence, a significant spiritual benefit in Catholic tradition.<\/p>\n<p>The door at St. Paul\u2019s is beautifully crafted, and stepping through it is both a physical and spiritual act. Walking through the Holy Door <b>connects pilgrims to centuries of faith and devotion.<\/b><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22863\" style=\"width: 1120px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22863\" class=\"wp-image-22863 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Holy_door_spaul.jpg\" alt=\"The Holy Door at St. Pauls. \" width=\"1110\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Holy_door_spaul.jpg 1110w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Holy_door_spaul-768x1328.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Holy_door_spaul-888x1536.jpg 888w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22863\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Holy Door is only open during Jubilee years. Photo credit: <a title=\"User:StPaul.jpg\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Holy_door_spaul.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StPaul.jpg<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_any_attractions_near_St_Pauls\"><\/span>Are there any attractions near St. Paul\u2019s?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes! The area around St. Paul Outside the Walls offers <b>several attractions worth exploring:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>San Paolo alle Tre Fontane <\/b>(<i>Via di Acque Salvie, 1<\/i>)<b>:<\/b> Located a short distance away, this church marks the<b> site of St. Paul\u2019s martyrdom.<\/b> Legend says <b>three fountains appeared <\/b>where his head touched the ground.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tiber River Walks:<\/b> Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the <b>nearby Tiber River,<\/b> which offers scenic views and quiet reflection.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Centrale Montemartini Museum:<\/b> This unique museum combines <b>ancient Roman statues with industrial machinery,<\/b> creating a fascinating juxtaposition of art and technology.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Testaccio Neighborhood:<\/b> Known for its<b> authentic Roman cuisine and vibrant market, <\/b>Testaccio is a great place to grab a meal after your visit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22584\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22584\" class=\"wp-image-22584 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Devour_Rome_Testaccio_May-24_0428.jpg\" alt=\"people looking at woman pointing to a sign\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Devour_Rome_Testaccio_May-24_0428.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Devour_Rome_Testaccio_May-24_0428-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check out the Testaccio neighborhood after your visit to refuel.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_get_to_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls\"><\/span>How do I get to St. Paul Outside the Walls?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>St. Paul Outside the Walls is located in <b>Rome\u2019s Ostiense district<\/b>, <b>approximately two miles south of the city center<\/b>. It\u2019s easily accessible by public transportation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Metro:<\/b> Take Line B (Blue Line) to the Basilica San Paolo stop, just a<strong> short walk from the church.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bus:<\/b> Several bus lines, including 23 and 769, stop near the basilica.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Taxi:<\/b> A taxi ride from central Rome takes about 15 minutes. Once you arrive, you\u2019ll find clear <strong>signs leading to the basilica\u2019s main entrance.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22337\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22337\" class=\"wp-image-22337 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-a-bus.jpg\" alt=\"People listening to a tour guide speaking in a bus\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-a-bus.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-a-bus-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22337\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There are plenty of ways to get to the St. Paul Outside the Walls that suit any budget.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_connection_between_St_Paul_Outside_the_Walls_and_the_Vatican\"><\/span>What is the connection between St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Vatican?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>St. Paul Outside the Walls is <b>one of the four major papal basilicas<\/b> of Rome, along with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicasanpietro.va\/it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/various\/basiliche\/san_giovanni\/index_it.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. John Lateran<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicasantamariamaggiore.va\/it.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Mary Major<\/a>. As a papal basilica, it holds a special connection to the Vatican and the Pope.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s not located within Vatican City, it remains under the Pope\u2019s jurisdiction and serves as a<b> key site for religious ceremonies<\/b> during Jubilee years. Historically, it has played a vital role in Catholic tradition as a place of pilgrimage and prayer, especially for those honoring the Apostle Paul.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21307\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21307\" class=\"wp-image-21307 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Walks_Vatican_St-Peters-Top-to-Bottom-0090.jpg\" alt=\"aerial view of large rounded square filled with people\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Walks_Vatican_St-Peters-Top-to-Bottom-0090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Walks_Vatican_St-Peters-Top-to-Bottom-0090-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Vatican has a special connection to St. Paul Outside the Walls and shouldn&#8217;t be missed.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>And, if you\u2019re looking to unravel facts about Vatican City, make sure to sign up for one of our small group <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/\"><b>Vatican tours<\/b><\/a><b>. Led by local guides, you\u2019ll not only be able to skip the lines, but will have privileged access to this Sistine Chapel at night or early in the morning, enjoying your time in this beautiful site without the massive crowds that build up throughout the day.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rome is on a lot of people\u2019s minds this year. That\u2019s because 2025 is a Jubilee year, a Holy Year for Catholics that takes place every quarter of a century. Millions of Catholics from every corner of the planet will be making a pilgrimage to the Eternal City (and, of course, Vatican City) to show [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":22858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[19,211],"ppma_author":[181],"class_list":["post-22854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-vatican","tag-vatican-city"],"authors":[{"term_id":181,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"david-farley","display_name":"David Farley","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Farley_AuthorPhoto.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Farley_AuthorPhoto.jpg"},"user_url":"","last_name":"Farley","first_name":"David","job_title":"","description":"David Farley is a West Village-based food and travel writer whose work appears regularly in the New York Times, National Geographic, BBC, and Food &amp; Wine, among other publications. He\u2019s the author of three books, including \u201cAn Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church\u2019s Strangest Relic in Italy\u2019s Oddest Town,\u201d which was made into a documentary by the National Geographic Channel. You can find Farley\u2019s online homes at https:\/\/dfarley.com\/index.html and https:\/\/www.tripout.online\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22854"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22854"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22854\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22887,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22854\/revisions\/22887"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22854"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=22854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}