Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Papal Tombs

This guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica gives you access to the interior of the complex. During the tour, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who’ll take you around every corner of the basilica for approximately two hours.

St Peter’s Basilica is regarded as the heart of the Catholic Church. Given its size, exploring it unaided carries the risk of missing some of its most important features – something that won’t happen with the help of your guide. The explanations will give you a much more comprehensive understanding of this monument.

Before entering the Basilica, it’s worth stopping to admire St Peter’s Square, where it is situated. There you can see Bernini’s colonnade, an Egyptian obelisk that Caligula brought to Rome, and a number of fountains. The square also offers a superb view of both the basilica’s façade and its dome.

Once inside, your guide will explain the history of the main highlights. Among the most interesting are:

• Sculptures: St Peter’s Basilica is home to some of Rome’s most famous sculptures. These include Michelangelo’s celebrated Pietà, the statue of St Peter, and Bernini’s Baldachin.
• St Peter’s Chair: this wooden throne is said to have been used by the first pope, St Peter
• Papal tombs: the guided tour includes entry to the papal tombs located beneath the basilica, one of the most fascinating parts of your visit here. It is believed that St Peter’s tomb is located there
• Treasure Museum: this part of the basilica houses a display of various religious artefacts, some of which are of great historical and artistic interest.
• St Peter’s Dome: situated above the High Altar; you can include admission if you select the relevant option.