St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Tucked within Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica (San Pietro in Vaticano in Italian) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the most important building in Catholicism, and one of the most visited monuments in the world.

Follow the guide!

⚠️ Heads-up! St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome, and the line to get in can be incredibly long (we’re talking hours!). It’s best to get up early to beat the crowds. If you’re planning to visit the dome (ticketed), be sure to book your visit in advance: entry to the basilica’s dome + audio-guided tour (several languages available).

A Brief History of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Who was Saint Peter?

St. Peter (or Simon Bar-Jona, his real name) is one of Jesus’ most well-known disciples.

In Catholic tradition, he’s regarded as the “Prince of the Apostles” and the first Bishop of Rome, with all popes considered his legitimate successors.

St. Peter is said to have been one of the victims of Nero’s persecution of Christians in Rome. He was crucified upside down between 64 and 68 AD in the Circus of Caligula and Nero, and was buried in a necropolis near the circus, at the foot of Vatican Hill.

The First Version of St. Peter’s Basilica (4^th Century AD)

In 313 AD, the Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine, ended the persecution of Christians and ushered in an era of tolerance.

Constantine ordered the construction of a monumental basilica on the very site where St. Peter was martyred and buried. The altar of this early basilica was built directly above St. Peter’s tomb.

The basilica was consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 326 AD.^.

The Second Version of St. Peter’s Basilica (16^th Century)

From the 4^th to the 14^th century, the Lateran Palace, next to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, was the official residence of the popes in Rome.

After their exile to Avignon from 1309 to 1377, the popes returned to a dilapidated Lateran Palace and chose to relocate to Vatican Hill near St. Peter’s Basilica, which was also showing signs of age.

After several failed renovation projects, Pope Julius II decided to demolish the old basilica and build a grand, modern one.

The construction lasted over a century (1506-1626) and saw the involvement of some of the most famous architects of the time: Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno, and Bernini.

The basilica was finally consecrated by Pope Urban VII in November 1626.

Visiting St Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Nestled on the stunning St. Peter’s Square, in the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is a baroque and Renaissance masterpiece—an essential stop for anyone visiting Rome.

The Exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica

The Façade

Designed by Carlo Maderno in the 17^th century, the façade is one of the more “recent” elements of St. Peter’s Basilica.

It is adorned with two-story Corinthian pillars and columns, and topped with an attic featuring statues of Christ and the Apostles.

Also, take note of the inscription: IN HONOREM PRINCIPIS APOST PAVLVS V BVRGHESIVS ROMANVS PONT MAX AN MDCXII PONT VII (In honor of the Prince of the Apostles, Paul V Borghese, Roman pontiff, in 1612, his 7th year as pontiff).
Don’t miss the balcony, from which the Pope delivers his papal blessing (Urbi et Orbi) and where the election of a new pope is announced.

The Narthex

The narthex—a vestibule/porch located behind the façade, linking the basilica’s interior and exterior—is also worth taking a moment to admire.

Check out the equestrian statues of Charlemagne (by Cornacchini) and Constantine (by Bernini), as well as the beautiful 13^th-century mosaic by Giotto, a remnant from the old basilica.

Five doors open into the basilica, including the Holy Door (opened only during Jubilee Years, once every 25 years) and the central door, known as the Filarete Door, taken from the old basilica.

The Interior of the Basilica

The Nave

The massive nave features a central aisle and two side aisles, lined with four colossal pillars.

The nave is adorned with polychrome marbles and decorated in a rich Baroque style. Numerous chapels, each filled with stunning statues, are scattered throughout.

On the floor, you’ll notice markers comparing the lengths of other famous churches, reminding you that St. Peter’s is indeed the largest Christian building in the world.

Statues Tombs

The basilica is a treasure trove of artistic wonders, from its grand architecture to the many statues and tombs it houses. Some highlights you shouldn’t miss:

• Michelangelo’s Pietà (north aisle)
• The bronze statue of St. Peter on his throne (13^th century, north aisle)
• Bernini’s tabernacle in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (north aisle)
• The tomb of Alexander VII by Bernini (south aisle)
• The monument to Clement XIII by Antonio Canova (south aisle)
• The tomb of the Stuart family by Antonio Canova (south aisle)

The Baldachin of St Peter’s Basilica

Under Michelangelo’s dome stands Bernini’s iconic bronze baldachin. It marks the location of St. Peter’s tomb.

Made from bronze taken from the Pantheon’s portico, this “pillage” led to the saying: “What the barbarians didn’t do, the Barberinis did,” a reference to Pope Urban VIII, who ordered the project.

The Dome

At over 130 meters high, the dome is one of Michelangelo’s most famous masterpieces and one of the largest domes in the world.

Completed by his pupil Giacomo Della Porta, the dome features 16 windows and is richly decorated with frescoes.

The Latin inscription around the base reads:“You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.”

By the way, St. Peter’s dome inspired the design of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

You can also climb to the top of the dome (ticketed) for an incredible view of the interior and a stunning panorama of Rome.

The Choir

The choir of the basilica houses one of its great treasures: the episcopal chair known as St. Peter’s Chair, which dates back to the 4^th century and was later highlighted by Bernini. According to Christian tradition, this chair was used by St. Peter himself, although some experts believe it actually dates from the 12^th century.

Flanking the ancient chair, be sure to admire the funerary monuments of Urban VIII (crafted by Bernini) and Paul III (created by Guglielmo Della Porta).

The Basilica Treasury

The treasury of the basilica (paid entry) is accessible via the sacristy and showcases a selection of clerical garments and sacred objects. While interesting, this visit is not essential, so you can skip it without missing out.

The Vatican Grottoes

The Vatican Grottoes, or Vatican caves, are a crypt where numerous popes, including John Paul II, are laid to rest.

The grottoes are so named because of their artificial cave-like decor.

The papal necropolis, located on the 2^nd underground level, is only accessible to a limited number of visitors with prior reservations.

Practical Information

Getting There

St. Peter’s Basilica is located on St. Peter’s Square, within Vatican City.

The closest public transport stop is Ottaviano on metro line A. Hop-on-hop-off tourist buses also make a stop at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Opening Hours

St. Peter’s Basilica is open from 7:00 AM to 6:10 PM (November to March) and from 7:00 AM to 7:10 PM (April to October). On Wednesdays, due to papal audiences, the basilica opens to the public at 1:00 PM. The basilica is closed on January 1^st and 6th.

The dome is accessible from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March) and from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM (April to October), though it may close 30 minutes early during busy periods.

Admission Fees

Entry to the Basilica is free. Access to the dome is ticketed: €10 if you take the elevator (there are still steps to climb) or €8 if you take the stairs.The Necropolis entry is €13, and access to the Basilica Treasury is €6.

If you want to skip the long queues, you can book your ticket for the dome in advance: dome access + audio-guided tour (several languages available).

Guided tours

To avoid the long lines and ensure you don’t miss a thing, Captain Ulysses highly recommends these guided tours:

St. Peter’s Basilica with Dome Access
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour

Avoid long lines: book your tickets and tours for Rome!

Credits
Pixabay | Wikimedia Commons