Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano - minor basilica in Rome, dedicated to Pope Clement I. The church consists of three levels - in fact, basilica, built in the 12th century; situated underneath the Basilica of the 4th century, which was converted from the home of a noble Roman, and the structure of the 1st century AD Such layering demonstrates the growing power of the Christian Church for centuries.

The lowest part of the Basilica of San Clemente is the ruins of the building, which was probably destroyed during the Great Fire of 64th AD In its place it was erected another structure, perhaps a mint, which was later rebuilt into a residential building. About two centuries later, the central part of the house has been adapted for Mithraeum - Temple of Mithras. The main hall of the temple length of about 9, 6 m and a width of 6 meters was discovered in 1867. There was also found an altar in the shape of a sarcophagus with the image of Mithras, a bull piercing dagger.

In the 4th century, the ground floor of the building were buried under the ground and the second floor has been transformed into a sort of basilica. The first mention of it is found in the 392 th year, and in the 9th century temple was first renovated. It is here that Cardinal Rainer was elected Pope under the name of Paschal II. Interestingly, in the lower basilica it was discovered one of the biggest collections in Rome, early medieval wall paintings.

The current basilica of San Clemente al Laterano was built in the late 11th - early 12th centuries. Today it is considered one of the most ornate churches in Rome. The main entrance is through the atrium, surrounded by arcades, which serves as a covered gallery. By the atrium facing strict facade of the fountain, supported by antique columns, and a small bell tower. Inside attracts mosaic floor coated in style cosmatesque.

Keepers of San Clemente from 1667 is an Irish Dominican monks (after Britain recognized the Catholic Church outlawed, Pope Urban VIII bestowed upon the exiled Irish asylum). They in 1950 together with students, archaeologists carried out excavations in the church.

In one of the side chapels is the tomb of St. Cyril, the man who, together with Methodius invented the Glagolitic and contributed to the baptism of the Slavs.