St Peter s Basilica
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Why go
- Bernini’s St Peter’s Square, with oval and trapezoidal sections enclosed by colonnades.
- Michelangelo’s dome, which dominates Rome’s skyline and is best appreciated from a distance.
Opening hours
Today07:00 – 19:10Show all
Don't miss
- Michelangelo’s PietàOne of the basilica’s sculptures, in an interior with chapels, altars and monuments.Inside the basilica
- Bernini’s canopy over the Papal AltarCatholic tradition places Saint Peter’s tomb beneath the main altar, under the canopy.Over the Papal Altar
- Four statues beneath the domeThe statues represent relics believed to be held inside the basilica.Beneath the dome
Know before you go
- Visitors may enter through the ordinary entrance in St Peter’s Square without a reservation.
- The Holy Door opens only during jubilees.
- Worshippers and celebrants use a dedicated access route, accompanied by staff for prayer and celebrations.
- Guided visits are available with Fabbrica di San Pietro guides or visitors’ own guides. A digital audio guide can be booked.
Legends and hidden details
- Catholic tradition holds that Saint Peter was crucified upside down in the circus grounds and buried nearby.
Interesting facts4
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136.57 metres
The dome rises 136.57 metres from the basilica floor to the top of its external cross.
St. Peter's Basilica - Wikipedia -
41.47 metres
The dome’s internal diameter is 41.47 metres.
St. Peter's Basilica - Wikipedia -
Many popes and other notable people are buried inside the basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica - Wikipedia -
St Peter’s is not a cathedral; the Pope’s cathedral is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
Rome/Vatican - Wikivoyage (see)
Shorts
History
Constantine’s original basilica stood above a shrine associated with Peter’s burial. Its atrium occupied the western part of today’s St Peter’s Square. Indulgence sales helped fund the replacement basilica and prompted Martin Luther’s protest against the practice.
- c. 318Construction began on the first monumental basilica on Vatican Hill.
- c. 326The five-aisled basilica with a transept was completed around this time and consecrated by Pope Silvester I.
- 1505Pope Julius II chose to replace the old basilica with a larger church.
- 18 April 1506The foundation stone of the present basilica was laid.
- 1626Pope Urban VIII dedicated the basilica on 18 November.
Show all
- 1939Excavations beneath the basilica uncovered shrines from different periods and a burial site.
- 1950Pope Pius XII announced the discovery of Saint Peter’s tomb.
- 1968Pope Paul VI said the remains were most probably those of Saint Peter.
- 1984The basilica was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get there
- On footSt Peter’s Basilica faces Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City, on the Tiber’s right bank. Approach through St Peter’s Square; statues of Saints Peter and Paul flank the steps to the façade.
Sources: St. Peter's Basilica - Wikipedia · Rome/Vatican - Wikivoyage (see) · Official Website of St. Peter's Basilica | A ma… · The Treasury Museum | St. Peter's Basilica · Opening hours and times of celebrations · Petersdom - Wikipedia · Basilique Saint-Pierre - Wikipedia · St Peter s Basilica: description (its own site) · checked 6 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
What are St Peter’s Basilica’s opening hours?
It is open daily from 07:00 to 19:10.
Are guided visits available at St Peter’s Basilica?
Guided visits are available with Fabbrica di San Pietro guides or your own guide.
Can I book an audio guide for St Peter’s Basilica?
Yes. A digital audio guide is available to book.
Can I explore St Peter’s Basilica digitally?
An interactive 3D model created in 2024 used more than 400,000 drone photographs.
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