Rome: St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour

Rome: St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour

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Explore St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on a tour with a local guide and visit the Papal Grottoes, revealing centuries of burials. Discover a place where religion, art, history, and beauty come together.

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Highlights

Feast your eyes on the magnificence and gilded ceilings of St. Peter's Basilica
See the ancient Egyptian Obelisk adding historical charm to St. Peter's Square
Discover artworks, including Michelangelo's La Pietà and Bernini's Baldachin
Uncover a series of underground tombs situated right below St. Peter's Basilica
Visit the resting place of 90 Popes, some monarchs, and other church dignitaries

Description

Start your tour in St. Peter's Square and experience the all-embracing character of its majestic architecture. Understand the game of visual effects as conceived by its designer, Bernini, and find the two 'special' spots in the square. Also, see a 2500-year-old Obelisk from Egypt. Then, step inside the Basilica and discover the beautiful artworks that adorn it. While walking on the colorful marble, be mesmerized by the enormous dimension of the building and the ceilings entirely covered in gold. Follow your through the main highlights. See the Papal Altar under Bernini's Baldachin, and marvel at Michelangelo's timeless masterpiece, La Pietà, as you explore the most important church in the Christian world. Finally, visit the Papal Grottoes, the vast crypt under St. Peter's Basilica. Built 3 meters below the level of the Basilica, they are located just under the great altar in the middle of the central nave. See where hundreds of popes and members of royalty have been buried since the 11th century.

Includes

Guide Walking tour Headsets to hear the guide

Important Information

Skipping the line isn't possible. All visitors must pass through a security check line like an airport. It might take 10-120 minutes during high season Tickets for the dome are exclusively available for purchase at the entrance and cannot be reserved through online means. St. Peter's Basilica is subject to unforeseen closures due to Vatican affairs. If this happens, the activity provider will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule. In the rare event the underground is closed, you will spend extra time in the basilica and St. Peter's Square