Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome
Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
4.5
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Neighborhood: San Lorenzo
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy23,793 contributions
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence "Outside the Walls" lies next to the Verano Cemetery. The Basilica is a shrine to Saint Lawrence, one of the first seven deacons of Rome who was martyred in 258. The church contains frescoes from the lives of Saints Lawrence and Stephen, who is also buried here. The church is filled with lovely Cosmatesque decoration and has a spectacular mosaic, albeit it was rather hard to see. It is amazing, considering that this church was bombed in WWII and substantially rebuilt. Very quiet and peaceful, there were just a few people there (many being nuns) today.
Written November 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Windowseatview
London, UK371 contributions
Solo
When in Rome it strikes you that the Church of Rome really is a local Roman church. Many (though not all), of the saints of the Roman Canon of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which includes the Virgin, St. Joseph, the Apostles and the early martyrs of the Catholic Church, are still here. The first five martyrs are Popes, then a Bishop, a Deacon and then five laymen. St.Lorenzo, or Saint Lawrence, was martyred under the same Valerian edict that condemned Pope Saint Sixtus II (one of the Popes!) This church was founded on his tomb. The church was originally dug into the catacomb so the floor of the church was adjacent to the tomb/shrine but quite far beneath ground level (St Agnese fuori le Mura has the same arrangement - they're all "fuori le Mura" because burial within the walls was forbidden), you can see the original ground level at what is now the gallery high above you, which surrounds the altar. The catacomb was then largely dug away and the second church built onto the original apse, changing the direction of worship in a now much longer basilica. They also transported the bones and relics of St.Stephen from Jerusalem and interred them alongside those of St. Lawrence and so we have the Deacon of the East and the Deacon of the West united in one tomb. Go and see it but go early morning or later in the afternoon as the funeral schedule at this church, right next to the huge Verano cemetery, is unrelenting, they're dropping like flies. Good place to find lots of reused classical architectural elements (spolia), from temples and basilica, see if you can find the name of Constantine from a reused inscription on the floor. They have several postcards, rosaries, booklets and histories of the church for sale in the sacristry (up the small ramp to the right of the side aisle to the altar, also the route to the interesting cloister), and have a very nice small (about 11 inches, 28cm), copy of the white marble altar statue of St.Lawrence for sale too (Statues of St.Lawrence are mysteriously rare. Can't move for Padre Pios. St. Lawrence? Nada). Nice local place for Mass. Opening hours are from 7 am to 12 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm. Bus 71 gets you there and back, or you could walk.
Written February 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gordon W
London, UK32 contributions
Situated outside the Walls of the City of Rome - the Basilica is about 25mins walk from Mary Major or the main Train Station in Central Rome.
Important to note that the Basilica is only open first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon early evening - closed mid afternoon.
Very quite with lots of 12th & 13th century features mainly Cosmatesque - on the left hand side of the church is a covered gallery walk way this will take you to the final resting place of Pope Pius IX - his body displayed in a glass coffin ,it's a very peaceful and spiritual place.
The Basilica is part of a larger complex which contains a cloister with a wonderful central garden, the walls of which are full of Roman sculptures.
The Basilica also contains the shrine of St Lawrence , Pope St Hilarius & St Stephen.
Well worth a visit as its off the main tourist trail and you have time and space to have a look around.
Important to note that the Basilica is only open first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon early evening - closed mid afternoon.
Very quite with lots of 12th & 13th century features mainly Cosmatesque - on the left hand side of the church is a covered gallery walk way this will take you to the final resting place of Pope Pius IX - his body displayed in a glass coffin ,it's a very peaceful and spiritual place.
The Basilica is part of a larger complex which contains a cloister with a wonderful central garden, the walls of which are full of Roman sculptures.
The Basilica also contains the shrine of St Lawrence , Pope St Hilarius & St Stephen.
Well worth a visit as its off the main tourist trail and you have time and space to have a look around.
Written October 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Windowseatview
London, UK371 contributions
Solo
A return visit to this old, beautiful, unusual, and less visited Papal Basilica, and well worth the effort to escape the crowds and see something wonderful. It has one of the best Cosmati floors and is home to the relics of several Saints, most notably its titular Saint Lawrence. The sacristry (door up ramp, on right by altar), sells a very informative and thoughtful guide book to the church (access to the lovely cloister is through the back of the sacritsry). Mass is well attended by locals and the Priests are friendly, some speak English. A taxi, or the 71 Bus from the stop near the news kiosk on Via dell'Olmata, opposite Santa Maria Maggiore, will take you there and back again. Love this place.
Written May 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Windowseatview
London, UK371 contributions
Solo
A largely unvisited (by tourists), Church, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura is a minor Papal Basilica and one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome. It's located a little out of the historical centre, a short taxi ride or twenty minute walk east of Termini station (you can take the 71 Bus back to Santa Maria Maggiore from across the road). The church is dedicated to St Lorenzo (Lawrence, Laurent, Laurence), deacon under Pope St Sixtus II of Rome, martyred in the systematic persecution of the Christians under Emperor Valerian ordered in 258. When ordered to hand over the wealth and patrimony of the church, he distributed it all amongst the poor and needy rather than have it confiscated by the Emperor and then turned up at the appointed date with only beggars, lepers and the poor, stating defiantly "Behold the treasures of the church!" Asking for trouble really, but he already knew where his story would end. His last words, as he was roasted to death on a grid-iron (his symbol), were "turn me over, I'm done on this side", He's now the patron saint of comedians and chefs. The church contains his tomb shrine. He shares his tomb with St. Stephen. Several Popes (including Pius IX), and a former Italian Prime Minister are also buried within the church. St Lorenzo is under the altar baldacchino and you can walk around his tomb. The shrine was designed by the CosmatI and, the choir enclosure and pulpit have Cosmati decoration, and there is also a Cosmati Paschal candlestick. The Church has an unusual double aspect; over the years the orientation has changed with rebuilding, so there are Byzantine mosaics to be seen on the triumphal arch on both sides. There's also a cloister to visit where the damage of WWII (an unintended hit) is recorded. It's daily life is as a very grand parish church and that's interesting to see. A lovely and very unusual basilica which deserves, and rewards, the very minor inconvenience of getting to it, you'll probably have the place to yourself. Church opening hours are 7.00 to 12.00 and 16.00 to 19.00 daily.
Written January 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dapper777
Monaco32,182 contributions
It's located at Piazzale del Verano, in the heart of San Lorenzo neighborhood, 20 minute walk from the Termini train station, or a 10-minute walk from the Policlinico metro stop on line B.
It has this name 'San Lorenzo fuori le Mura' (or "St. Lawrence outside the Walls”) because it outside the city center). It is very old, much more ancient than other ancient Roman churches.
St Lawrence, one of Rome's most important saints,was put to death during Valerian's persection of Christians in 258 A.D. (the story says that he was placed alive on a gridiron prepared with hot coals beneath).
Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, first built an oratory here in the 4th century; the church itself came in the 5th century and was reconstructed by the Byzantines in the 6th.
Pope Sixtus III built a church which was later remodeled into the present nave and redecorated the shrine in the catacomb, where St. Lawrence himself weas buried.
The basilica had a central nave, side aisles with galleries above, a small apse at the west end, and a narthex at the east end.
The grave of St. Lawrence, still unmoved from its original position in the catacomb, rose up at the front of the nave.
The interior has an unusually restrained interior. Despite this, it is worth visiting for its magnificent Cosmati floor and front portico, which features a fresco of St Lawrence,
Noteworthy : a 2nd-century sarcophagus depicting a pagan marriage feast. (Today it holds the 13th-century remains of Cardinal Guglielmo Fieschi).
On the opposite wall, against the structure housing the tomb of St. Lawrence, is the "Stone of St. Lawrence," a marble slab with a large stain. According to tradition, Lawrence's body was laid on this stone.
Near the main altar there is a statue of the Saint, who carries a gridiron and a jewel box (by Stefano Galletti1865).
The church also has the remains of the martyrs St. Stephen and St. Justin in the church crypt beneath the high altar.
Another beautiful church in Rome. It is not just a beautiful church though, it is one that is filled with history. It is actually one of the oldest churches in Rome.
Amazing building with such a wonderful history
A great quiet place to enjoy and have some quiet time.
It has this name 'San Lorenzo fuori le Mura' (or "St. Lawrence outside the Walls”) because it outside the city center). It is very old, much more ancient than other ancient Roman churches.
St Lawrence, one of Rome's most important saints,was put to death during Valerian's persection of Christians in 258 A.D. (the story says that he was placed alive on a gridiron prepared with hot coals beneath).
Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, first built an oratory here in the 4th century; the church itself came in the 5th century and was reconstructed by the Byzantines in the 6th.
Pope Sixtus III built a church which was later remodeled into the present nave and redecorated the shrine in the catacomb, where St. Lawrence himself weas buried.
The basilica had a central nave, side aisles with galleries above, a small apse at the west end, and a narthex at the east end.
The grave of St. Lawrence, still unmoved from its original position in the catacomb, rose up at the front of the nave.
The interior has an unusually restrained interior. Despite this, it is worth visiting for its magnificent Cosmati floor and front portico, which features a fresco of St Lawrence,
Noteworthy : a 2nd-century sarcophagus depicting a pagan marriage feast. (Today it holds the 13th-century remains of Cardinal Guglielmo Fieschi).
On the opposite wall, against the structure housing the tomb of St. Lawrence, is the "Stone of St. Lawrence," a marble slab with a large stain. According to tradition, Lawrence's body was laid on this stone.
Near the main altar there is a statue of the Saint, who carries a gridiron and a jewel box (by Stefano Galletti1865).
The church also has the remains of the martyrs St. Stephen and St. Justin in the church crypt beneath the high altar.
Another beautiful church in Rome. It is not just a beautiful church though, it is one that is filled with history. It is actually one of the oldest churches in Rome.
Amazing building with such a wonderful history
A great quiet place to enjoy and have some quiet time.
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marcus L
Austin, TX723 contributions
Couples
San Lorenzo Outside the Walls is on the Eastern side of the wall, just outside it. It is considered a minor papal basilica and does not seem to get as many visitors as other Pilgrimage churches, perhaps due to its location (and neighborhood). When we were there, they were celebrating Mass. This church is definitely worth an Uber ride and is a very long walk from Trastevere (where we were staying).
Written June 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
michael c
Miami, FL32 contributions
Friends
There are many churches in Rome -- far too many to visit in any length of days less than a year perhaps. But this church is worth visiting. You will need to take a cab to get to it but it is worth it.
It is really two ancient churches over 1500 years old each that have been architecturally fused together into one.
It contains the tomb and relics of two of Catholicisms famous saints -- St Stephen the Deacon and St Lawrence (Lorenzo) the Deacon. Stephen is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles as having been stoned to death in Jerusalem and several hundred years later his body was/relics was brought to Rome to be buried here next to Lawrence, on of early Rome's most famous deacons.
The basilica was hit by Allied bombs in 1943 and badly damaged. Several locals were killed and many injured. Pope Pius XII travelled to the site immediately upon learning of the attack. His visit is commemorated in a statue and a plaque. Inside the basilica you can still see the shrapnel from bombs and the damage done to several of the pillars in the nave. In the sacristy there is an exhibit photos of the damage taken the day after the bombing.
Also entombed here is Pope Pius IX who died in 1871.
The cloister is most endearing.
Visit the cloister. It is quiet and still. No noise. The cloister is lined with ancient plaques from old Christian tombs taken from the catacombs beneath this basilica.
If you are a Catholic with a friend or family who is a deacon or if you are a Catholic deacon this is a must visit church. A selection of gift items is available.
It is really two ancient churches over 1500 years old each that have been architecturally fused together into one.
It contains the tomb and relics of two of Catholicisms famous saints -- St Stephen the Deacon and St Lawrence (Lorenzo) the Deacon. Stephen is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles as having been stoned to death in Jerusalem and several hundred years later his body was/relics was brought to Rome to be buried here next to Lawrence, on of early Rome's most famous deacons.
The basilica was hit by Allied bombs in 1943 and badly damaged. Several locals were killed and many injured. Pope Pius XII travelled to the site immediately upon learning of the attack. His visit is commemorated in a statue and a plaque. Inside the basilica you can still see the shrapnel from bombs and the damage done to several of the pillars in the nave. In the sacristy there is an exhibit photos of the damage taken the day after the bombing.
Also entombed here is Pope Pius IX who died in 1871.
The cloister is most endearing.
Visit the cloister. It is quiet and still. No noise. The cloister is lined with ancient plaques from old Christian tombs taken from the catacombs beneath this basilica.
If you are a Catholic with a friend or family who is a deacon or if you are a Catholic deacon this is a must visit church. A selection of gift items is available.
Written August 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MNataro
Pyeongtaek, South Korea395 contributions
Family
We actually got there at lunch time, so it was closed, but the attendant opened the church up for us, and allowed us to see it pretty much for as long as we wanted, but we couldn't turn the main lights on. Needless to say, it was difficult to admire the main church, but the lights under the altar, where Sts Stephen and Lawrence are buried together, as well as behind the altar where Bl. Pope Pius IX is buried, all had lights on motion sensors. Anyway, don't miss this place, even though it's a little off the beaten path. Plan accordingly as it'll be closed for lunch.
Written January 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Walks-in-Venice
Venice, Italy65 contributions
Solo
Given its age, historical importance and beauty, San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura would attract many more visitors than it does, if it didn't lie in a part of Rome that is not frequented by many tourists. But don't let this put you off, for the church can easily be reached by public transport (both the 492 and 71 buses pass by it and also Tram 3).
For me, the glory of San Lorenzo is its late 6th century mosaic, which, curiously, can only be seen from the back of the altar. The explanation for this is that the original church faced the other way. In the 13th century its orientation was completely reversed.
Don't miss the Romanesque cloister, an oasis of peace and tranquillity.
Opening hours: 7-12/16-19.
For me, the glory of San Lorenzo is its late 6th century mosaic, which, curiously, can only be seen from the back of the altar. The explanation for this is that the original church faced the other way. In the 13th century its orientation was completely reversed.
Don't miss the Romanesque cloister, an oasis of peace and tranquillity.
Opening hours: 7-12/16-19.
Written August 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JordiGiladell
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain820 contributions
¿ se pueden hacer fotos?
Paco R
764 contributions
Siiiiiiiiii.
La he visitado muchísimas veces y siempre hice fotos.
Frequently Asked Questions about Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
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