Why St Peter's is unique
St Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the Christian world and one of the most visited monuments on the planet. But it is also something harder to define: the symbolic centre for one billion four hundred million Catholics, an architectural machine built over 120 years by the greatest artists of the Renaissance, a place where history and devotion overlap in an almost vertiginous way.
It is not a museum. It is a still-active church where Mass is celebrated every day, popes are buried, conclaves held, and dogmas proclaimed.
History in brief
The history of the site begins in 64 AD, when Nero's Circus witnessed the martyrdom of Peter, the first of Jesus's apostles. Over his tomb, the emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the first Constantinian basilica (326–333 AD), which stood for over a thousand years.
In 1506, Pope Julius II ordered the demolition of the ancient basilica and the start of an entirely new building. Bramante worked on the project, then Raphael, then Michelangelo — who at the age of 72 took charge of the dome project without payment, as an act of devotion. Michelangelo died in 1564 without seeing it completed. The drum was ready; the dome was finished by Giacomo della Porta in 1590.
The interior was completed across the seventeenth century: Carlo Maderno extended the nave and built the facade (1607–1614), Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the colonnade in the square (1656–1667) and the bronze baldachin over the papal altar (1623–1634).
Architecture: what to observe
Michelangelo's dome, 136.57 metres high on the inside and 132.5 on the outside, is Rome's visual landmark. From the main front it is poorly visible — Maderno's nave extension blocks it. To see its full profile, you need to step back or climb to the terrace.
Bernini's colonnade is composed of 284 columns and 88 pillars arranged in four elliptical rows. Two marble discs inside the piazza mark the "foci of the ellipse": from these positions, the four rows of columns appear to merge into a single row.
The baldachin, 28.5 metres tall, rises above the papal altar built directly over Peter's tomb. It is the largest bronze object in the world, cast from metal stripped from the portico of the Pantheon in 1626.
Michelangelo's Pietà (1498–1499), in the first chapel on the right, was carved when the artist was 24 years old. It is the only work Michelangelo ever signed — on the sash crossing the Virgin's chest.
The Vatican Grottoes
Beneath the basilica lie the Vatican Grottoes, accessible from inside. Here rest the tombs of numerous popes — including John Paul II, Paul VI, and John Paul I — along with remains of the original Constantinian basilica. Admission is free. The Grottoes are reached through descending passages in the nave pillars.
The Dome: ascent and panorama
Climbing the dome is one of Rome's most breathtaking experiences. First you reach the rooftop terrace of the basilica (accessible by lift or stairs — €8 with lift, €6 stairs only), from which you can see the colonnade from above and the obelisk at the centre of the square. Then you climb the cylindrical drum and the interior spiral of the dome to the lantern. The route takes approximately 45–60 minutes and is physically demanding in the final section.
What to see in the right order
For those with 2–3 hours available, an efficient route:
- Entrance — facade, atrium, Holy Door (on the right)
- Nave — Pietà (first chapel right), overall dimensions
- Baldachin and papal altar — centre of the basilica
- Cathedra Petri — apse, Bernini's bronze throne
- Statue of St Peter (13th century) with the foot worn smooth by the faithful
- Descent to the Grottoes — papal tombs, Constantinian basilica
- (Optional) Dome ascent — 45–60 additional minutes
St Peter's Square
The square is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the evening, the illuminated colonnade and the 17th-century fountains transform the space into one of the most evocative in Europe. The Egyptian obelisk at the centre was transported from Heliopolis to Rome by Caligula in 37 AD and placed in the square by Sixtus V in 1586.
Practical information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Basilica entrance | Free |
| Dome (lift) | €8 |
| Dome (stairs only) | €6 |
| Vatican Grottoes | Free |
| Treasury of St Peter | ~€8 |
| Scavi excavations | ~€13–15, booking via scavi@fsp.va |
| Basilica hours | 7:00–18:00 (winter) / 7:00–19:00 (summer) |
| Dress code | Shoulders and knees covered, mandatory |
| ZTL | No — Vatican/Prati area unrestricted |
How to get there
- On foot from the historic centre: about 25–30 minutes from Pantheon or Piazza Navona
- Metro A Ottaviano stop: 5 minutes' walk from the square
- Bus 23, 40, 62, 492: stops on Via della Conciliazione
- Private driver: direct access with no ZTL restrictions, drop-off in front of the colonnade
Tips for your visit
Arrive early. Opening is at 7:00 — the first 60–90 minutes are the least crowded of the day. Lateral light enters the nave and creates an atmosphere unlike any other time.
Avoid papal audience days. Every Wednesday morning the Pope holds an audience in St Peter's Square or the Paul VI Audience Hall. The area is effectively inaccessible from early morning.
Respect the dress code. Swiss Guards will turn away anyone with bare shoulders or knees. In summer, always carry a scarf or light jacket.
Book the Scavi weeks in advance. In peak season, booking 2–3 months ahead is necessary.
With a private driver
Reach the Vatican by private driver. From your hotel, airport or station — direct and punctual. Service from €49. → Book at myromedriver.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to visit St Peter's? The basilica alone: 1–1.5 hours. With the Grottoes: 2 hours. With the dome climb: 3 hours total.
Are the Vatican Museums included in the same ticket? No. The Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) have a separate ticket of approximately €17 and a different entrance — on Viale Vaticano, 15 minutes' walk from the square.
Can you attend Mass at the basilica? Yes. Mass is celebrated every day. The schedule is available on the Vatican website. Italian-language Masses are held at the side altars; papal or cardinal-presided Masses take place at the main altar on major feast days.
Article no. 140 — TIER S — MON-07 San Pietro Type: HISTORICAL Words: ~1,200