S. Giovanni in Laterano is the first Christian Basilic
to be built in Rome by Emperor Constantin. It symbolised the triumph
of Christianity over paganism and it is considered the Cathedral
of Rome. The dedication to S. Giovanni came later. It was destroyed
by fire twice and rebuilt several times. Borromini rebuilt the interior
in the 17C. The well balanced 18C façade is the major work
of Alessandro Galilei (1691-1736).