Palazzo Lateranense: Rome's Papal Palace Reopened to the Public
Since December 2021, the Palazzo Lateranense, an ancient papal residence located on the Caelian Hill in Rome, has welcomed visitors following Pope Francis's directive. Originally constructed by Constantine on land that was seized, it functioned as the primary papal seat until the Avignon papacy. Pope Sixtus V oversaw its renovation between 1585 and 1589, transforming it into a Renaissance-style palace. Inside, guests can explore sixteen rooms, including the Sala di Daniele and the Sala degli Imperatori. Notably, the Sala della Conciliazione is where the Lateran Pacts were signed on February 11, 1929. Outside, the Lateran Obelisk, the largest monolithic obelisk in the world at 32 meters, was erected by Fontana in 1588.
Key facts
- Palazzo Lateranense opened to public in December 2021 by Pope Francis.
- Built by Constantine on land of Laterani family, confiscated under Nero.
- Papal residence for 1,000 years until Avignon papacy.
- Rebuilt by Domenico Fontana for Pope Sixtus V (1585–1589).
- Sala dei Pontefici hosted signing of Lateran Pacts on February 11, 1929.
- Frescoes by Cesare Nebbia, Giovanni Baglione, Giovanni Guerra.
- Originally housed Marcus Aurelius statue, Spinario, Capitoline Wolf, Lex de Imperio Vespasiani.
- Lateran Obelisk (32 m) erected by Fontana in 1588.
- Sixteen rooms, chapel, two monumental staircases open to visitors.
- Papal apartment includes study, bedroom, library, dining room with central pope seat.
Entities
Artists
- Domenico Fontana
- Cesare Nebbia
- Giovanni Baglione
- Giovanni Guerra
- Ferraù Fenzoni
- Andrea Lilio
- Sisto IV
- Giulio III
- Sisto V
- Felice Peretti
- Papa Francesco
- Papa Gregorio XVI
- Papa Giovanni XXIII
- Papa Paolo VI
- Costantino
- Massenzio
- Nerone
- Milziade I
- Elena
- Tutmose III
- Tutmose IV
- Costantino II
- John F. Kennedy
- Pisone
Institutions
- Santa Sede
- Regno d'Italia
- Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana
- Musei Vaticani
- Museo Storico Vaticano
- Museo Missionario-Etnologico
- Museo Gregoriano Lateranense
- Museo Gregoriano Profano
- Studio Passarelli
- Manifattura dei Gobelins
- Artribune
Locations
- Roma
- Italia
- Palazzo del Laterano
- Celio
- Ponte Milvio
- Porta Maggiore
- Sessorium
- Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
- Campidoglio
- Vaticano
- San Pietro in Vaticano
- Quirinale
- Acqua Alessandrina
- Paludi Pontine
- Fontana del Mosè
- Acquedotto Felice
- Santa Maria Maggiore
- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Tebe
- Egitto
- Milano
- Stati Uniti
- Europa
- Melide
- Napoli