St. Peter's Basilica (Latin: Sancti Petri, Italian: Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), also known as the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano), sometimes called St. Peter's in Rome, is the most important religious building in Catholicism. It is located in Vatican City, on the right bank of the Tiber River, and its façade faces St. Peter's Square. A guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica is almost essential, given the site's rich history. There are no explanatory panels on site, yet 2,000 years of Christian history unfold before our eyes, not to mention the many great artists who contributed to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Michelangelo, who designed the dome and several sculptures.

It was built where, according to the wishes of Emperor Constantine I, the first pilgrims came to venerate Saint Peter, on the site of the Circus of Caligula and Nero.

St. Peter's Dome in Rome

It is possible to climb the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which is the only part of the basilica that requires an entrance fee. You can buy your ticket on-site, to the right of the basilica's portico.

The view of Rome from the dome is truly worthwhile, but it adds at least an hour to your visit. If you book the guided tour of the basilica, tickets for the dome will be included.

It is one of the largest masonry roofs ever built. It has an interior diameter of approximately 42 meters and brings the total height of the basilica, from the base to the top of the lantern, to over 130 meters.

Visiting the Vatican Grottoes

Beneath St. Peter's Basilica lies a collection of ancient and modern tombs known as the Vatican Grottoes. The Vatican Grottoes are a group of papal tombs located beneath St. Peter's Basilica. Inside the grottoes are ancient works of art and relics preserved for centuries. In addition to the tombs of popes, they also contain the final resting places of ecclesiastical dignitaries, monarchs, and other important figures in Roman history. There are over one hundred tombs within St. Peter's Basilica, and most of them are located in the Vatican Grottoes.

The Tomb of Saint Peter

The tomb of Saint Peter holds great historical and cultural significance. Historically, it is believed to be the burial place of Saint Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ and the first pope. Saint Peter was crucified in Rome around 64 AD, during the reign of Emperor Nero, who had blamed Christians for a massive fire. After his execution, Peter was buried near the Vatican necropolis.