St Peter Square Basilica and Grottoes Group Guided Tour

Highlights

• St. Peter's Square
• St. Peter's Basilica
• The Grottoes

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   St. Peter's Square

   30min

   More than just a grand entrance to the St. Peter's Basilica the St. Peter's Square it is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture designed to embrace the world. Conceived by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 and 1667, the square was engineered to accommodate the greatest possible number of people for the Pope’s public audiences.

2. 2

   St. Peter's Basilica

   1h 30min

   The beating heart of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is not only the largest church in the world but also an intersection of art, history, and faith. Built over the burial site of St. Peter himself, the current structure replaced the 4th-century "Old St. Peter’s" and took over 120 years to complete. Located directly beneath the floor of St. Peter's Basilica there are a series of underground chambers and chapels, housing the tombs of over 90 popes—including John Paul II, Benedict XV, and Pius XII—along with saints and royalty. A primarily the masterpiece of Michelangelo Buonarroti and the crown jewel of the Roman skyline the St. Peter’s Dome is a triumph of Renaissance engineering that has served as the architectural blueprint for capitol buildings and cathedrals across the globe.

Before you go

Location