San Paolo fuori le Mura

A first basilica, commissioned by Roman emperor Constantine I, was built in the fourth century AD at the site of St. Paul's grave. At the end of that same century, another Roman emperor, Theodisius I, expanded the church. More expansions followed during the next centuries, and by the 9th century, this was the largest church in Rome. It held that title until the current St. Peter's Basilica was completed in 1626.

Disaster struck on July 15, 1823 when a fire almost completely destroyed the church. Only some part of the original Roman basilica survived, most notably the apse. Restoration of the church started in 1826 and would last more than 100 years. In 1829, during reconstruction, the atrium was added after a design by Calderini.

The church is enormous in size. Its original floor plan was probably based on that of the Basilica Ulpia in Trajan's Forum. 80 Granite columns separate the central nave from its four isles.

Some parts of the church that escaped the fire include a Venetian mosaic in the apse, created in 1220. The gothic baldachin at the high altar was created by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1285. Below the altar is St. Paul's grave. Nearby is an impressive 5.5 meter high candlestand, also from the 13th century.

Also of note are the restored mosaics in the nave, originally created in the 5th century and the bronze doors, which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament. The small cloister courtyard, created in the 13th century, is considered one of Rome's most beautiful such courtyards.