Discover the Discover the St. Peter’s Basilica, Papal Tombs and Dome masterpieces with our specialized masterpieces with our licensed guides

Duration

3 hours

Description

• 7:45 am - Meet your guide at Largo del Colonnato, 5.

There is no other way to skip this line, which is only caused by security checks, but enter the seat as early as 8:00 am.

You reach the place on your own and you are on your own again at the end of the tour. However, you have the option of adding a one-way or round-trip transfer service for an additional fee. This would be convenient if you stay away from the Vatican and have more than 3 people in your group, as most taxis take a maximum of 3 passengers.

• Take the lift to the terrace and then climb the stairs to the very top of the Dome.

Firstly, we climb up to the Dome. There might be a bit of a line to get into the elevator in the high season, please be patient. The lift takes you to the terrace, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Rome, saving the climb of the spiral staircase of 231 steps, known as “The snail of Saint Andrew”. Besides enjoying the view of Rome, which is surely more impressive from the top of the Dome anyway, you can get some refreshments at the local coffee shop. If the climb to the top isn’t for you, maybe you can at least climb the two ramps that will allow you to look inside the Basilica from above.

• Look down to the interior of St. Peter’s from above and the mosaics before climbing.

Not everyone knows that the architecture of St. Peter’s dome was designed by Michelangelo and is considered his greatest architect’s masterpiece. However, he’s not responsible for the mosaics that decorate the dome, they were made by the Vatican Mosaic Studio, established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1572 and still in operation, based on designs by the famous painter Cavalier d’Arpino. Once back down from the Dome, your guide will take you on a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica focused on its highlights. St. Peter’s is the largest church in the world, took 120 years to build, it’s almost 400 years old and full of priceless works of art which, of course, your guide will be telling you about.

• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the “Grottoes” before ending the tour in the square.

Once back down from the Dome, we tour the Basilica. The highlights are the Pietà, sculpted by Michelangelo at the age of 24 and numerous works by Bernini, such as the Canopy over the Papal Altar, the funeral monuments to the Popes Urban VIII and Alexander VII, the “Throne of St. Peter”, and more… Leaving St. Peter’s, you’ll descend to the “Grottoes”, where 91 Popes are buried, starting from the first one, St. Peter. Once out of the Basilica and the “Grottoes”, you’ll stop in St. Peter’s Square, designed by Bernini, and your guide will conclude this amazing 3-hour tour explaining the church’s façade, the obelisk, and the square itself which was designed by Bernini.

Note:

This tour might not be available on Wednesdays for the Pope receives a public audience and the church remains closed until 2:00 pm.