Saint Peter's Basilica Tour – Skip the Line

General information

Destination	Category
Rome, Italy	Attractions/Entertainment

Program details

Come discover all the secrets of one of Rome’s most renowned landmarks: the magnificent Basilica of St Peter.

HIGHLIGHTS:


* Set foot inside one of the largest churches in the world

* Skip the line entry

* Find out about all its main features with a professional guide


St Peter’s Basilica is in fact a construction so stunning that American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once famously described it as ‘an ornament of the earth… the sublime of the beautiful.’

Known throughout the world as the Queen of all Basilicas, the Basilica of St Peter is a church built in the purest Renaissance style with a central dome that overlooks the skyline of the Eternal City. As you walk into its vast interior space, you will notice that its dimensions seen from the inside are far superior to those of other more regular churches. It is indeed like stepping into the belly of a stone beast.

At the heart of the Basilica, right underneath the splendid high altar, you will be able to set eyes upon the Confessio, or Chapel of the Confession. Its name makes reference to the confession of faith by St Peter, which lead him to his martyrdom. Two curving marble staircases lead to this eerie underground chapel at the level of the Constantinian church and immediately above the burial place of Saint Peter.

As you meander through the immense interior of St Peter, you will realise that it is entirely decorated with lavish marbles, reliefs, architectural sculptures and even a breathtaking amount of gilding. There will be no doubt left in your mind as to why this basilica, of all churches in the world, was unanimously proclaimed by believers as the Queen of all the Basilicas.

Duration: One and a half hours.
Start/opening time: Daily, except Wednesdays, at 8am.
Others: Tour ends in St Peter’s Square.