Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Built over the traditional burial site of St. Paul, this is the second-largest basilica in Rome, its single nave lined by eighty columns across four side aisles. A catastrophic fire in 1823 destroyed most of the building that had stood for nearly 1,500 years, but the basilica was rebuilt and remains one of the four Papal Major Basilicas and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches.

Highlights

The tomb and sarcophagus of St. Paul beneath the papal altar
Fifth-century triumphal-arch mosaics commissioned by Galla Placidia
An 11th-century Byzantine bronze door, cast in Constantinople
Arnolfo di Cambio’s Gothic ciborium over the confession
Windows of translucent alabaster, mistaken by many visitors for stained glass

Mass Times

Weekdays (Mon–Fri): 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.

Sundays & Feast Days: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. (solemn), 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.

Confessions 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 4:00–6:30 p.m. daily.

Address

Piazzale San Paolo, 1, 00146 Roma

Official Website

basilicasanpaolo.org