Saint John Lateran is the seat of the Bishop of Rome. This is a huge beautiful church with some great artwork. Note the statues on the top of the grand facade. Just inside we stopped and looked around, mostly to see two bronze doors that came from the Curia of the Roman Forum, and are with the doors on the temple of Romulus the oldest bronze doors in existence. These, however, are not on their original hinges.
Then went into the Sanctuary. We saw the 12 statues of the apostles, carved by Borromini, who was a rival of Bernini, who did much of the design work for the church. Bernini's sculptures can be found throughout the city, some of the best at the Borghese Gallery, and his fountains dot Rome.
The ceiling is beautiful mosaic with many papal symbols. The floor is Cosmati style, that is made up of mosaic-like designs of pieces of colored marble. There are paintings of Old Testament prophets above the statue level and large windows. I was pleased to also see two organs and a whole wall devoted to musical symbols. The Apse is, of course, very impressive, and there are multiple chapels off the main area. I was not able to get a book but hope to do so soon.
We went into the sacristy where the priests and popes robed. In addition to a large tapestry and vestments, there was an original Palestrina manuscript displayed in there. We also saw the cloister, which is a big square with columns, some of them with Cosmati style mosaics. Every one seemed to be different.