The basilica, built under Constantine the Great on the site of the tomb of the Apostle Paul, stood until 1823, when it was badly damaged by fire. Only in 1854 it was re-consecrated. Among the few surviving fragments of the burnt basilica is the cloister (courtyard) (mid-13th century) with coloured inlaid double columns.
At present, the facade of the basilica is preceded by a majestic square portico supported by 146 columns. In the centre of the space surrounded by the portico stands the statue of the Apostle Paul by Pietro Canonica. The part of the façade above the portico is richly decorated with mosaics, including the tympanum on which the composition "Christ blessing between Saints Peter and Paul" is depicted. Below, on the frieze, is a subject called "Agnus Dei" - "The Lamb of God reclining on a hill between the two holy cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem". Still lower down, four huge figures of the Prophets frame the windows.
The richly decorated interior of the basilica consists of five naves. The central nave is separated from the side aisles by eighty columns of granite. A long ribbon frieze with portraits of 236 popes runs along the nave and transept. Above the frieze, the Corinthian pilasters of the walls are rhythmically interspersed with huge windows, replacing the old stained glass windows that were broken in an explosion in 1893. The coffered ceiling is decorated with gilded panels. Among the relics kept in the basilica is the tabernacle by Arnolfo di Cambio, made in 1285 in collaboration with Pietro Cavallini. Under the beautiful canopy of the tabernacle is the altar that rises above the tomb of St Paul with the traditional confessional window through which can be seen the epitaph carved in stone: "Paolo Apostolo Mart." ("Paul the Apostle Martyr"), dating back to the 4th century.
