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Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

The Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome, the second largest after that of St. Peter in the Vatican.

It is located along the Via Ostiense, in the district of the same name, near the left bank of the Tiber, about 2 km outside the Aurelian walls (hence its name), exiting the Porta San Paolo.

It stands on the place that tradition indicates as that of the burial of the apostle Paul (about 3 km from the place - called "Tre Fontane" - where he suffered martyrdom and was beheaded); the saint's tomb is located under the papal altar.

For this reason, over the centuries, it has always been a destination for pilgrimages; since 1300, the date of the first Holy Year, it is part of the Jubilee itinerary to obtain the indulgence and the rite of opening the Holy Door is celebrated there.

Since the eighth century, the care of the liturgy and the votive lamp on the tomb of the apostle has been entrusted to the Benedictine monks of the annexed abbey of San Paolo fuori le mura.

The entire complex of buildings enjoys the benefit of the extraterritoriality of the Holy See, despite being in the territory of the Italian Republic.

The Basilica is an institution connected to the Holy See, including the adjoining abbey.

The Holy See enjoys full and exclusive jurisdiction over the entire extraterritorial complex as well as the prohibition, by the Italian State, of carrying out expropriations or imposing taxes.

The place has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980.

Map: Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls