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St Peter's Basilica

Piazza Papa Pio XII, Roma, Lazio

Description

St. Peter's Basilica is a Renaissance church located next to St Peter's Square in the Vatican City in Rome. It was designed by D. Bramante, Michelangelo, C. Maderno and G.L. Bernini, and built over several decades (1506-1626). It is regularly used for pilgrimage and liturgical fonctions and is widely considered the greatest church is Christendom. St Peter is said to be buried there, as were several popes. Architecturally, it has the tallest dome (136m) and largest internal volume of all Christian churches. Some of the highlights / masterpieces include Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture, Bernini's bronze canopy above the papal altar, the dome designed by Michelangelo and completed by Della Porta and Fontana, and the facade with Corinthian pilasters and columns topped by 13 statues. Trivia: the cathedral church of Rome (and seat of the bishop of Rome, the Pope) is not St Peter's but the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.

Access & Transport

The Basilica is on St Peter's Square, 300m from the Risorgimento/S. Pietro tram stop (19) and less than 10mins walk north of the "Roma S. Pietro" train station. It is possible to walk there from the old city by crossing either Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II or Ponte Principe Amedeo Savoia Aosta.

Instructions & Recommendations

Make sure to check if any special event is being held before heading there. Visitors are also requested to dress appropriately: no shorts, vest or sleeveless top Other attractions nearby include St Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums.

Meta review

The Basilica is iconic and regularly featured in travel magazines showcasing Rome as a destination. Travel boggers and online reviews do not stray from that and invariably qualify the church of a must-see or "unmissable" in Rome. The statues, frescos, dome and papal tombs get regular special mention in online reviews, as do the fact that the queue moves fast and that visitors should cover their shoulders and knees (also a requirement in other churches in the city).

Environmental & Social

The running environmental footprint is low Helps maintain the city's architectural and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

St Peter's Basilica is just incredible, there is art in quantity and quality with some of the most famous names in Italian Renaissance cooperating to produce this unique church. Quite a departure from Christianity's roots of simplicity and poverty to say the least but, even for the non-religious, it does deserve praise for its artistic and architectural feats.

Key positive

Fantastic art inside

An architectural masterpiece

Free entrance

Key negative

Can be crowded, in particular on weekends and public holidays.

Suitability

No religious denomination restriction but visitors should dress conservatively since it is a church. Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

April 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closure subject to masses and special events. The dome opening hours are 07h30-17h00.

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:1h 15m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Apr, 01

Season 1

MONDAY07:00 - 19:00

TUESDAY07:00 - 19:00

WEDNESDAY07:00 - 19:00

THURSDAY07:00 - 19:00

FRIDAY07:00 - 19:00

SATURDAY07:00 - 19:00

SUNDAY07:00 - 19:00

Start of Season 2:Oct, 01

Season 2

MONDAY07:00 - 18:30

TUESDAY07:00 - 18:30

WEDNESDAY07:00 - 18:30

THURSDAY07:00 - 18:30

FRIDAY07:00 - 18:30

SATURDAY07:00 - 18:30

SUNDAY07:00 - 18:30

Pricing
Audio-guide and dome access are paying
Free

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