One of Rome's great basilicas

The Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura is among the oldest and most venerated in Rome, built over the tomb of St Lawrence, the deacon and martyr burned on the gridiron in 258 AD. It stands along the Via Tiburtina, in the lively university district of San Lorenzo, beside the vast Verano monumental cemetery (Campo Verano). It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the city's "patriarchal" papal basilicas: a place where history, faith and medieval art come together in a way you'll find nowhere else.

The history: two basilicas in one

The most extraordinary thing about San Lorenzo is that it was born from the merging of two basilicas built in different eras: an older one (from the Pelagian period, 6th century) and a later one (from the Honorian period, 13th century), joined to form the church you see today. That explains its unusual floor plan and its wealth of medieval features. The basilica was severely damaged in the 1943 bombing and then painstakingly rebuilt.

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What to see

  • The tomb of St Lawrence, beneath the altar, a goal of pilgrimage.
  • The Cosmatesque floor and the medieval ambones (pulpits).
  • The Romanesque cloister and the portico with its frescoes.
  • Traces of the 1943 bombing and the reconstruction.

We go deeper in our guide to what to see at San Lorenzo fuori le Mura and in the article on St Lawrence the martyr and the gridiron.

Visiting and admission

Entry to the basilica is generally free, as with Rome's churches. For opening hours and practical details, see our guide San Lorenzo fuori le Mura: hours and admission. To get there, check how to reach San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.

The district and the Verano

San Lorenzo is also a lively, down-to-earth quartiere, the heart of Roman student life, full of bars and street art. Next to the basilica spreads Campo Verano, the largest monumental cemetery in Rome, with tombs and sculptures of real interest. Together with San Paolo, San Giovanni and Santa Croce, the basilica forms part of the circuit of the great basilicas outside the walls. See also San Paolo fuori le Mura.

Frequently asked questions

What is San Lorenzo fuori le Mura? One of Rome's ancient papal basilicas, built over the tomb of the martyr St Lawrence, on the Via Tiburtina. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome.

Why is it made up of two basilicas? Because it grew from the merging of two churches built in different eras (the 6th and 13th centuries), joined into the basilica you see today, which is why the floor plan is so unusual.

What happened in 1943? The basilica and the surrounding district were severely hit by a bombing raid during the Second World War; the church was later painstakingly rebuilt.

Is there an entrance fee? No, entry to the basilica is generally free. Check the opening hours and any restrictions on the official website.

Where is it located? On the Via Tiburtina, in the San Lorenzo district, beside the Verano cemetery, east of central Rome.

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Article #517 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026