Two worlds beneath the floor
Beneath St Peter's Basilica there are two superimposed layers of history, accessible in different ways:
- The Vatican Grottoes — the crypt immediately below the nave, containing the tombs of dozens of popes. Free access from inside the basilica.
- The Vatican Necropolis — the pagan and early Christian cemetery of the first to fourth centuries AD, at a still deeper level, with the funerary monument attributed to Peter. Access only on a pre-booked guided tour.
Peter's tomb: the archaeological evidence
The burial site of Peter was identified through excavations ordered by Pius XII between 1939 and 1950. Beneath the high altar — beneath Bernini's baldachin, beneath Michelangelo's dome — a small funerary aedicula dating to around 160–180 AD was found, known as the "Trophy of Gaius", mentioned in an ecclesiastical text of the second century that already indicated Peter's tomb on the Vatican hill.
In a niche in the so-called Red Wall adjacent to the monument, human bones wrapped in purple cloth with gold thread were discovered. In 1968 Pope Paul VI declared that these bones "probably" represented the remains of Peter. The question remains scientifically open — the attribution is not proven beyond doubt — but the devotional continuity of the site from the second century onwards is beyond dispute.
The Vatican Grottoes
The Vatican Grottoes occupy the space between the floor of the present basilica (16th–17th century) and that of the old Constantinian basilica. They preserve:
- Papal tombs: Paul VI, John Paul I (died after only 33 days as pope, 1978), and many other twentieth-century popes
- Remains of the Constantinian basilica: mosaic fragments, column bases, the old floor
- The Chapel of St Peter at the centre, with its altar directly above the Apostle's funerary monument
John Paul II (†2005) was buried in the Grottoes immediately after his death. After his beatification in 2011, his remains were transferred to the Chapel of St Sebastian in the upper basilica — where they are venerated by the faithful today.
John XXIII (†1963), beatified in 2000 and canonised in 2014, lay in the Grottoes for decades: his remarkably well-preserved remains are now displayed under glass at the Altar of St Jerome in the main nave.
How to access the Grottoes:
- From inside the basilica, following signs for the Grottoes
- Hours: approximately 9:00–17:30, closes before the basilica
- Entry: free
The Vatican Necropolis (the Scavi tour)
The Necropolis is the deeper, older layer: a Roman cemetery of the first to fourth centuries AD, with pagan and early Christian mausoleums. It is accessible only through the Scavi tour, one of Rome's most exclusive experiences.
| Booking | By email to the Excavations Office (scavi@fsp.va) |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~1.5 hours |
| Cost | ~€13–15 per person |
| Group size | ~12–15 people |
| Minimum age | ~15 years |
| Languages | Multiple available |
The tour ends directly in front of the Trophy of Gaius, beneath the high altar. It is one of the most profound moments Rome has to offer: standing at the roots of two thousand years of Christian history.
How to book: by email, often weeks or months in advance (very high demand). State your preferred language, number of participants, and available dates.
Timeline: from burial to basilica
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| ~64–68 AD | Peter martyred in the Neronian circus |
| ~64–68 AD | Burial at the edge of the circus |
| ~160–180 AD | Trophy of Gaius built over the tomb |
| 320–330 AD | Constantinian basilica erected on the site |
| 1506–1626 | Present basilica constructed |
| 1939–1950 | Vatican excavations: burial site identified |
| 1968 | Paul VI declares the bones "probably" Peter's |
| 2013 | Francis publicly displays some of the bones |
Visit with a private driver
Reach the Vatican with a private driver. From your hotel, station or airport — direct, stress-free. Service from €49. → Book at myromedriver.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Vatican Grottoes the same as the Necropolis? No. The Vatican Grottoes (the crypt) are at the first underground level, freely accessible. The Necropolis is deeper, accessible only on the pre-booked Scavi tour.
Where is John Paul II buried today? In the Chapel of St Sebastian in the upper basilica (right nave), not in the Grottoes — where he was moved after his 2011 beatification.
How far in advance must the Scavi tour be booked? Often weeks or even months ahead, especially in high season. Write to scavi@fsp.va giving several alternative dates.
Article no. 128 — TIER S — MON-07 San Pietro Type: HISTORICAL Words: ~900