St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Kids pay half price!
Duration
about 3 hours
Tickets
Pick up at your hotel
Private Transportation
Professional Guides
Activity level
medium/high
Sights Included
– Canopy by Bernini
– St. Peter’s Square
– Unique architecture
– Beautiful decoration
– Tombs of the Popes
– Remains of Constantine Basilica
Tour Description
St. Peter’s Basilica is the most important Catholic Church in the world. It’s also the biggest, and by far the most ornate.
Our St. Peter’s Basilica Tour will show you this unique sight from the top of the Dome to the underground Crypt. You’ll get to enjoy the full experience of the most impressive building in the Vatican.
1. St. Peter's Square
Discover the roots of Christianity with us.
Our St. Peter’s Basilica Tour is a journey through art, architecture, and religion.
You may be wondering…
Why is Rome the capital of Catholicism? Why is St. Peter’s the most important church in the world?
We will guide you through a discovery of early Christian history. You’ll find out how Christianity first arrived in Rome and conquered the city, becoming the most popular religion in the world.
The first stop of our St. Peter’s Basilica tour will be the Square, a gorgeous piazza designed by the greatest Italian artist of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Your private tour guide will provide a full explanation of this awe-inspiring place, and share the dramatic story of St. Peter, the first Pope.
After the death of Christ, St. Peter came to Rome and founded the local Christian community. Then, in the year 64 AD, Rome was almost completely destroyed by a terrible fire. The emperor Nero needed somebody to blame – he chose the Christians.
The leader of their community, St. Peter, was captured and crucified upside down in a stadium used for chariot races and executions, located on the slopes of the Vatican hill. This site is now the location of St Peter’s Square.
St. Peter was buried in a nearby cemetery. His tomb became a major pilgrimage site in the very early years of Christianity. Even though the Romans kept persecuting the Christians, their numbers continued to grow.
Everything changed in 313 AD, when the emperor Constantine – probably a Christian himself – legalized Christianity and gave his full support to the Christian community. He also decided to build a gigantic church right on top of the tomb of St. Peter.
And that’s how St. Peter’s Basilica came to be built.
But the building you see nowadays is not the original church; in the early 16th century Pope Julius II decided to build an even bigger basilica. He hired the best architects in Italy to design and construct it.
After 120 years, in 1626, the new Basilica was consecrated and opened to the public.
Many of the greatest artists of the time (and of all time!) contributed to the building: Bramante, Raphael, Bernini, Borromini, and, of course, Michelangelo, who designed the most impressive part of the building, the Dome.
2. The Basilica, the Dome & the Crypt
Your expert tour guide will take you to the top of this fantastic structure – still the tallest in Rome – and show you the city from its highest and most impressive viewpoint.
You will take the elevator to skip the first 200 steps and reach the terrace. Afterwards, you can keep climbing to the very top of the Dome (350 more steps) or just enjoy the incredible view from the terrace.
You’ll have the chance to take a closer look at the shiny mosaics that depict Jesus, the Apostles, the Virgin Mary and the Evangelists. Here you’ll also be able to see the marble floor of the Basilica from an elevated position, so you can admire the geometrical perfection of its design.
Then, it will be time to go down and explore St. Peter’s Basilica in depth. Golden mosaics, colorful marbles and priceless artworks make this church a truly unique place, designed to dazzle visitors.
You will see the Pietà, the most moving sculpture by Michelangelo, which he carved when he was in his early 20s.
Interestingly, it’s the only artwork that Michelangelo signed. According to legend, he had to sign it because nobody believed that a masterpiece like this could be created by such a young artist.
Where did Michelangelo put his signature? Look a little closer, and you’ll find out!
In the chapel close to the Pietà you will find the tomb of Pope John Paul II, recently canonized and buried in a prominent position.
Nearby you’ll also see Bernini’s canopy. This massive, elegant structure was built with the bronze from the Pantheon, and covers the main altar. The altar has a splendid gilded frame, and is illuminated by the huge alabaster window behind.
You may feel overwhelmed by the richness of the decoration, and by the details that decorate every inch of this amazing building, but don’t worry! Our tour guide will be there to explain everything, and tell you the fascinating story of this unique building.
Finally, you’ll go underground, in the crypt, to see the tomb of St. Peter – the “root” of the Basilica – and the tombs of other important popes from the past.
There’s also the option to combine our St. Peter’s Basilica tour with a visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, so you can enjoy a full day in this unforgettable place.
You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
Your knees and shoulders must be covered to enter the Vatican .
In order to reach the top of St. Peter’s Dome, you need to climb about 330 steps in a narrow corridor. If you decide not to reach the top, you can comfortably take an elevator ad stop halfway.
49 € per additional adult
24 € per additional kid under 18
by car or cab to St. Peter's
if in Rome city center
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or call us at +39 376 165 1457 Tour Location
Italian ArtVentures' Feedbacks
Your guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They made the history accessible and enriching.
You covered every detail, down to lunch reservations, business class train tickets and wonderful air-conditioned transportation with friendly drivers!
Thank you again for all the e-mails to develop a personalized itinerary for a special trip! We give you 5 1/2 stars on a 5 star scale!
