Visit St Peters, the Sacred Centre of the Catholic World

St Peters Basilica - As the site where St Peter was martyred and buried, The Vatican is the residence of the Popes that follow in his footsteps.

The Basilica draws pilgrims from all over the world, and its massive dome, built by Michelangelo, is a feature of the Rome skyline.
The first shrine to the Saint was erected here in the 2nd Century, and the first great basilica was sponsored by the Emperor Constantine around AD350.

Inside St Peters youll find works by many famous Italian artists, such as Raphael, Michelangelo, Bramante and Bernini. It's a powerful and awe inspiring site for any visitor!

By the 15th Century St Peters was largely derelict, so in 1506 Pope Julius II laid the first stones of the new church, seen today. It took more than a century to complete, and the great architects of the renaissance and baroque periods had a hand in its construction.

The Dome was decorated by Michelangelo, but not finished during his lifetime, and the interior of the Basilica contains the Papal Altar, made of solid marble, and dating from about 1600.

The quickest way to get to St Peters is by using the Metro (Line A, Ottaviano S. Pietro), or the numbers 40 and 62 bus routes run nearby. We suggest an early daytime visit, as some of the museums and attractions can close early, often without warning.

Metro Linea A, Station Ottaviano. Buses 62, 23, 34, 40. Opens 10:00am, seasonal & weekend restrictions. Best seen as part of our "Skip The Line" tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, lasting approx 3 hours. Click here to See St Peters in our "Skip The Line" Guided Tour.

You’ll probably want to combine your visit with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, so make sure you have enough time set aside to avoid being hurried. The Raphael Rooms should also not be missed.

Papal blessings take place at noon on Sundays, and there are also papal audiences on Thursday mornings that may allow a glimpse of the Pontiff. These move to other quarters during the winter months.

Essential Tip: Through Lets Travel Rome and Viator, our partners in Rome, we are able to offer attendance at an Audience with Pope Benedict, at The Vatican City. Tickets are limited, and you MUST have a confirmed reservation to attend. The exact location depends on the seasons, and the Pope's location each day. Reserve your place for an Audience with Pope Benedict.

A visit to the magnificent St Peters will never disappoint, and we fully recommend it when you travel to Rome.

Essential Tip: Understandably, the guardians of The Vatican, St Peters and the Michelangelo Sistine Chapel are insistent over the issue of proper religious respect for the artefacts they control. Appropriate dress code is essential for your visit, and shoulders and upper arms must be covered to gain entrance. You can, if necessary, buy T-Shits or similar in the shops at the edge of St Peters square – but you will pay a premium for this.

 

St Peters and The Vatican City sit beside the River Tiber, close to the Castel S Angelo. Best reached by crossing the to the left of the Castel, and approaching along Borgo S Spirito. Some smaller churches and nice restaurants line this route.

We’re sharing all our tips for getting the best from these amazing places in the pages of Lets-Travel-Rome.com, so make sure you look around this part of the site before too long!

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