This basilica, known for its rich history, was built over the burial place of St. Paul. Consecrated in the year 330 by Pope Sylvester I, the original structure was much smaller than its current size as the tenth largest church in the world. Facing east towards Jerusalem, additions over the years gave the church its iconic columned courtyard and the famous Gothic ciborium created by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1285. St. Paul Outside the Walls held the title of the largest basilica in Rome until St. Peter’s Basilica was consecrated.

During the night of July 15, 1823, a devastating fire destroyed much of the basilica. Pope Leo XII appealed to the faithful around the world, and the church was rebuilt, identical to how it had been before the fire. Donors included Tsar Nicholas I and King Fouad of Egypt, and the site became the largest construction event of the century.

On December 10, 1854, the “new” basilica was consecrated by Pope Pius IX, who had just proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

“May the Apostle to the Gentiles enlighten and protect all those who carry out their duties in the Basilica dedicated to him. May he also grant help and comfort to all the faithful and the pilgrims who visit with sincere devotion this place, sacred to the memory of his martyrdom, to strengthen their faith and invoke his protection on their personal journey of sanctification and on the commitment of the Church to spread the Gospel in the contemporary world.” – Pope Benedict XVI