Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls: Tomb of the Apostle Paul!

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is home to the tomb of the Apostle Paul, the author of 13 books of the Bible!!! It also houses the chains Paul wore during his trial before Roman Emperor Nero.

Erected during the 4th century A.D., Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is 1 of the 4 major basilicas of Rome. (The other 3 are St Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano).

It was beyond exciting to visit the grave of the apostle Paul! And the church is absolutely stunning – the below pictures don’t do it justice!

In this post I will tell you about the Apostle Paul, the history of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and everything you need to know to visit.

Who is the Apostle Paul?

Paul – originally named Saul – was born in Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia. 

Paul was raised in Jerusalem and followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a  Pharisee. During these early years of his life, he actually persecuted early Christians. 

But following a dramatic conversion detailed in Acts 9, he became the church’s greatest apostle for Christ! 

After becoming a follower of Jesus, Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament, which is why he is so beloved. He’s also well-known for his three missionary journeys (48 to 60 A.D.) across the ancient Roman provinces, which took him to places like Thessalonica, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, and Rome. 

During his years as an Apostle, Paul endured much hardship, leading to multiple imprisonments, including a final stint at the Mamertine Prison in Rome.

History of Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls traces its origins back to 324 B.C.

This is where he was where it’s believed that Paul was martyred in Rome around 64 C.E. At this time, Emperor Nero had outlawed Christianity, and there was intense persecution of Christians.

Shortly after his death, the location quickly became a focal point of veneration among early Christians, and in 324 A.D. Emperor Constantine commissioned a church over Paul’s burial site.

The Fire in July 1823

On the night of July 15, 1823, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was destroyed by a catastrophic fire.

The fire quickly spread through the wooden roof, fueled by the ancient timber that made up the structure. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the intensity and ferocity of the fire were overwhelming, causing extensive damage to this historical and religious site.

The loss was a blow to the local community, the Catholic Church, and Christians who genuinely appreciate our heritage.

Restoration of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

Shortly after its destruction, Pope Leo XII launched an appeal to rebuild the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls exactly as it was. They even re-used some elements preserved from the fire to ensure it was identical to the original building.

Gifts arrived from all over the world. The Emperor of Russia even donated precious malachite and lapis lazuli for altar fronts.

Architect Pasquale Belli was initially responsible for the reconstruction, but after his death in 1833, Luigi Poletti took over and completed it in 1854.

The Basilica was officially reconsecrated in 1854. Pope Pius IX (1846-1876), along with fifty Cardinals and Bishops, were all present for the reconsecration.

How to Visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is located in Piazzale San Paolo in Rome. It is Open Daily from 7:00am-6:30pm. It is free and you do not need to make a reservation.

If you are in Rome, you can easily reach St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls by public transportation. It takes about 20 minutes from the Roman Forum/Colosseum, 50 minutes from the Vatican, and 35 minutes from the Trevi Fountain.

Metro: Take Line B and disembark at “San Paolo Basilica.” It is a 7-minute walk from the station to the Basilica.

Bus: Routes 23 and 271 will drop you off very close to the Basilica. Disembark at “Ostiense/LGTS San Paolo.” Check Google Maps to see how many transfers it will require to get there from your hotel.

➡️Check out St Paul’s Basilica & Holy Door Rome Pilgrim Tour

Architecture & Interior Design

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of Rome’s most beautifully designed buildings. I was so impressed by its architecture and interior design that I could have spent hours admiring it alone!

For starters, the impressive quadriportico spans 70 meters and holds 150 columns. There’s also a colossal statue of Paul at the atrium’s center, created by Giuseppe Obici.

Here are some more parts that I thought were truly incredible to see.

Mosaic Adorned Facade

The Basilica’s facade (front of the building) has a stunning display of mosaics completed between 1854-1874. They were designed by artists Agricola and Consoni and are divided into 3 sections:

Lower Section: This section features the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, each depicted with elements that symbolize their prophetic messages.

Central Section: This section showcases the mystical Lamb surrounded by 4 rivers representing the Gospels and 12 lambs symbolizing the Apostles.

Upper Section: This section has Christ portrayed between Saints Peter and Paul, highlighting their foundational roles in the Church.

The Front Door

The main door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is made of bronze and silver. A gift from Antonio Maraini in 1928–1931, it portrays scenes from the lives, ministries, and martyrdoms of Peter and Paul.

Jesus is highlighted in silver. On the left side of the door he is giving Peter the keys to the kingdom. And on the right side he is shown confronting Paul (then known as Saul) on the Road to Damascus.

Interior Design

The Basilica’s layout follows a classical basilica plan with a central nave with aisles on either side. This creates a spacious and open interior design, and the stained glass windows allow just enough light into the sanctuary to create a spiritual glow.

The design here integrates Romanesque and Gothic elements. The marble columns supporting the pointed arches are very Romanesque, while the bell tower and the portico reflect Gothic features.

If you look up, the ceiling is all wooden, made to look exactly like the original Basilica before it burnt down.

Intricate Artwork & Mosaics

The whole Basilica is full of beautiful art pieces and mosaics made by some of the most famous artists throughout history.

The Cloister (pavilion) of the Basilica was designed by the Vassalletto family. It has intricate columns and pilasters, each uniquely decorated with geometric and floral patterns.

The Papal Altar Ciborium (sculpture, columns, and arches that form the altar) was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio.

The Facade (front of the building) was designed by Pietro Cavallini, another gifted artist.

Nicola D’Angelo and Pietro Vassalletto collaborated on the monumental Candelabrum for the Paschal candle.

More Artwork

Additionally, the Venetian artists who had previously contributed to the Basilica of Mark in Venice helped create mosaics throughout this Basilica.

These detailed mosaics intricately depict scenes from the Bible and other religious designs, adding to the aesthetic and spiritual ambiance of the interior.

The Triumphal Arch features scenes from the life of St. Paul, including his conversion and various moments from his missionary journeys.

The Apse Mosaic dates back to the 13th Century. It depicts St. Paul at the center, surrounded by other saints and figures from Christianity. The backdrop of a golden sky symbolizes heavenly glory.

The Walls of the Nave are full of frescoes depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, providing a visual journey through biblical stories and teachings.

Finally, the Portraits of Popes is a series of papal portraits that line the upper areas of the nave. Each depicts a specific pope who was associated with the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

The Tomb of Saint Paul

In 61 A.D., the Apostle Paul arrived in Rome to face a momentous trial.

Tragically, at some point between 65 – 67 A.D., it’s believed that Paul was beheaded.

Following his martyrdom, Paul’s body was buried 2 miles from the site of his tragic execution. The tomb of the Apostle Paul quickly transformed into a revered place of worship and veneration.

During the challenging early centuries of persecution, faithful Christians and pilgrims would gather here to pray. They drew strength from this sacred place, empowering them to carry forth the great missionary work initiated by Paul.

Visiting Paul’s Tomb

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was built on top of Paul’s Tomb. You can see the tombstone lying less than 6 feet below the Papal Altar!

The marble tombstone measures 2.12 x 1.27 meters and bears the powerful Latin inscription PAULO APOSTOLO MART (Apostle Paul, Martyr).

Below the marble tombstone rests a massive sarcophagus that has never been disturbed. Carbon dating estimated that the bones inside date back to the 1st- 2nd Centuries, meaning it’s very likely that they are St. Paul’s.

During renovations in the Basilica after the fire, a significant window-like opening was created just below the Papal Altar to allow visitors to get a Glimpse of the Apostle’s Tomb.

➡️Check out Footsteps of Saint Paul Private Tour

The Chains of Paul

The last thing to see while visiting the Basilica are the chains of St Paul.

These are the chains that bound him to the Roman soldier during his imprisonment in Rome, and they are on display as a recognition of his unwavering faith through trials.

Every year, on June 29th, the Feast Day of Paul, the chains that once restrained the apostle are taken in a solemn procession around the Basilica.

I would love to attend that day to see this ceremony occur!

Final Thoughts

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls should be one of the first places you should add to your Rome itinerary if you’re interested in seeing a couple of Christian historical sites.

Not only is it a beautiful building with incredible artwork and a rich history, but it also houses the tomb and chains of one of Christianity’s most prominent figures!

It’s easy to get to the Basilica from almost anywhere in the city, and it’s well worth the effort!

If you want to see more historical sites related to Paul in Rome, visit The Church of St. Paul alla Regola or Paul’s Jail in Rome (Mamertine Prison)!

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