There is a unique place in Rome where faith, art and history intertwine with breathtaking majesty. A timeless symbol of Christianity, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, along with St. Peter’s Square in front, is a microcosm where sacredness is manifested in solemn architecture and artistic masterpieces. The embrace of Bernini’s colonnade and the shadow of Michelangelo’s grandiose dome have welcomed pilgrims, tourists and the curious from all corners of the world for centuries. And you, are you ready to be conquered? Then, lace up your shoes (comfortable, mind you…) and dive into this wonder that knows how to surprise every time, even those who think they have already seen it all!
Like any self-respecting itinerary, ours includes a specific starting point. Before crossing the threshold of St. Peter’s Basilica, lingering in the large square in front is the ideal way to immerse yourself in this place that is a symbol of faith for millions of believers, of culture for art lovers and of reflection for anyone who comes across it. The main and most direct access to St. Peter’s Square is Via della Conciliazione, a long and scenic street accessed from Piazza Pia, recently restored and pedestrianized as part of the work for the 2025 Jubilee. It is the entrance to the Piazza that we most recommend, because it allows you to enjoy a unique and spectacular view of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering an even more memorable experience.
If, however, you wish to treat yourself first to a quiet, exploratory walk through the charming streets of the Borgo district, you can opt for the entrance to Via di Porta Angelica. Walking down it, you will come across Porta Sant’Anna, one of the entrances to the Vatican City State, so named for the adjacent Church of Sant’Anna dei Palafrenieri.
Once you reach St. Peter’s Square, place yourself in the center of this metaphorical embrace, in which the Doric colonnade, with its imposing semicircular arms, will seem to welcome you in a symbolic gesture of welcome. The square, elliptical in shape and of considerable size (196×149 m), was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII to the architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who completed it in 1667, after no less than 11 years of intense activity. Characterized by perfect geometries, it is a “three-center oval” — and no, it is not a geometric problem to be solved, but a miracle of design! Its focal points are the Vatican Obelisk, a tall and proud stone lord, originating from the Circus of Caligula and Nero (the spectacle facility of ancient Rome that stood in this area), which bears the saving cross of Christ at the top and stands as a symbol of faith and hope. On its sides stand twin fountains, placed symmetrically to each other and designed by Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. More than 44,000 cubic meters of travertine were used to build the square, and several volunteers, who often saw this work as an atonement for their sins, were added to the hundreds of workers already present to complete the work. The colonnade consists of 284 columns arranged in 4 rows, which in turn form 3 aisles, the central one of which is vehicular, while the two side aisles are walkable only. It is completed by140 statues depicting saints and martyrs, more than 3 meters high and made a few years later by Bernini’s disciples.
St. Peter’s Square hides a number of curiosities, related to impeccable studies of perspective and geometric calculations wanted by Bernini himself. If you sharpen your eyesight, you will notice that each column has a convex shape, an expedient useful to create a particular optical effect, namely that of making the main columns, placed on the entrance of the basilica, appear a different color than those in the square. Are you curious to discover an additional optical effect? Locate on the pavement of the square, between the fountains and the obelisk, the two disks bearing the words “Center of the Colonnade.” At this point, stand on them and you will witness magic: the rows of columns around you will “disappear,” leaving room for one.
And finally, one last curiosity: did you know that on the pavement of St. Peter’s Square is the only heart-shaped cobblestone in Rome? Shrouded in various legends, including one that attributes its creation to Michelangelo Buonarroti, who carved it in memory of an ill-fated love affair, it is nicknamed “Er Core de Nerone” and is located near the depiction of the libeccio, along the Rosa dei venti depicted around the obelisk.
Now before you stands the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most representative works of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Designed by Carlo Maderno, it was completed in 1614 under the pontificate of Paul V (although the inscription bears the date 1612). It is decorated with giant columns and pilasters and is divided into two orders. In the lower one find place the 5 entrance doors, of which the central one, the oldest, was made in the 15th century by Filarete. Continuing to the left are the Door of Good and Evil and the Door of Death (the work of Giacomo Manzù), while to the right of Filarete’s work stand the Door of the Sacraments and the well-known Holy Door, commissioned by Pope Pius XII from the Tuscan sculptor Vico Consorti for the Jubilee of 1950. The upper order is punctuated by 9 windows, 3 of which have balconies: from the central one, called the Loggia of Blessings, faces the pope for solemn Urbi et Orbi blessings and the cardinal protodeacon when he announces the election of a new pontiff. Looking up, you will not miss the monumental statues that adorn the balustrade, depicting Christ the Redeemer, St. John the Baptist, and the 11 Apostles.
And now, do you spot that sublime example of architectural ingenuity towering behind the facade? Conceived by the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica represents the synthesis of a long and complex construction process, which the Master began working on in the last years of his life, completing the tambour, that is, the base that supports the imposing calotte. After his death in 1564, the project was resumed and completed by Giacomo della Porta between 1588 and 1590: the dome thus assumed its characteristic ogival shape, more slender than the original Michelangelo design.
In 1593, a large gilded bronze sphere (known as the Palla sacra) surmounted by a cross, the work of Sebastiano Torrigiani, was placed on the spire of the lantern, giving the entire structure a touch of magnificence and underscoring the spiritual and artistic triumph of the design. Although it appears to be modest in size, the sphere, hollow at its core, can accommodate up to 20 people. This is a certain fact since, until the 1950s, it was open to visitors before being permanently closed to the public for security reasons. It was reached by a small staircase located in the lantern lodge, and along the bronze roof, a number of slits gave visitors one of the most fascinating views in the world. Lucky was the Tsar of Russia Nicholas I in whose honor, in 1845, Pope Gregory XVI organized an impressive refreshment in the sphere.
But, as they say…lost a sphere, you find a Dome! Do not miss, then, the extraordinary visit to St. Peter’s Dome. In front of you you will have two choices: either walk up a whopping 551 steps, or reach the intermediate level by elevator and then walk 320 steps. The visit also includes entering the interior of the Basilica, where you can admire, from an exceptional proximity, the interior decoration of the dome. This is a complex mosaic covering covering an area of about 3,000 square meters, made between 1598 and 1613 and depicting the entire celestial hierarchy on a background evoking a starry sky. At this point, with the last flights of stairs you will reach the outside of the dome, which will give you a breathtaking view of the Eternal City. Have fun discovering Rome’s most famous sites and peeking, from this privileged position, at glimpses of the entire Vatican State!
St. Peter’s Basilica: a bit of history
The beating heart of Christianity, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is the place where history is intertwined with the divine and art touches sublime heights. To visit it is to embark on a journey through the centuries, starting from the very distant fourth century, when it all began. It was Emperor Constantine I who promoted the construction of a shrine on the site where the apostle Peter, considered the first pope of the Catholic Church and martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero, was buried. The Constantinian basilica appeared as a majestic building, characterized by a five-aisle plan and a large atrium, the quadriporticus, intended to welcome pilgrims. Its symbolic center was the altar placed directly above Peter’s tomb, which became a destination for pilgrims from all over the world.
As the centuries passed, the basilica began to show signs of neglect and decay. In 1506, at the initiative of Pope Julius II, who championed an ambitious reconstruction project, the foundation stone of the new St. Peter’s Basilica was laid. The sacred building was to reflect the grandeur of the Church and, for this reason, the greatest architects of the time were involved. The initial design was entrusted to Donato Bramante, who conceived a central plan surmounted by a monumental dome. After his death, artists of the caliber of Raphael Sanzio, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and, finally, Michelangelo Buonarroti took over, who focused on the construction of the majestic dome, which would later become one of the distinctive elements of the basilica and a symbol of Renaissance architectural perfection.
Under the pontificate of Pope Paul V, the basilica’s design was further expanded with the addition of the longitudinal nave and monumental facade designed by Carlo Maderno. The solemn consecration by Pope Urban VIII dates back to 1626, which restored to the Christian community a universal masterpiece of art and spirituality. None of us were present that day at the inauguration but, if we try to close our eyes for a moment, it will not be difficult to imagine the astonishment of those present in front of Michelangelo’s Dome, illuminated for the occasion by 5,000 striking lanterns.
The masterpieces of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
218 meters long, including the portico and facade, about 44 meters high at the vaults and featuring a total area of 23,000 square meters (the equivalent of 3 soccer fields), St. Peter’s Basilica is considered the largest church in the world. If you access it from one of the main entrances on the facade, head straight for the right aisle: here you will be greeted by the chapel that houses the Pieta, one of the most extraordinary works of Western art, sculpted in 1498 by a barely 23-year-old Michelangelo. From a single block of Carrara marble, the artist rendered, in a pose of extreme delicacy and intense humanity, the act of Mary holding up the body of Christ.
Walking instead down the majestic nave, in front of you will stand out the monumental St. Peter’s Baldachin, which was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII to Gian Lorenzo Bernini and inaugurated in 1633. Looking at it closely, you will immediately realize the magnificence of this work: at 28.5 meters high, it corresponds to a palace of no less than 10 stories! And do you know where much of the bronze from which it is made came? From the trusses of the Roman Pantheon’s pronaos, according to the custom of the time of recycling unused materials taken from other architectural works. The canopy overlooks the high altar, positioned exactly above the tomb of the apostle Peter. Descending into the Confession, Maderno’s masterpiece illuminated by 99 perennial lamps, one can symbolically approach the saint’s tomb and the spiritual heart of the entire basilica.
Continuing to the apse area, you will reach the Chair of St. Peter, a wooden throne enclosed in a Baroque structure of impressive beauty. Made by Bernini, it is a riot of angels and cherubs, enveloped in clouds and lightning rays, illuminated by beams of light filtering through the oval window over which the dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit, stands out. The work has such a striking visual impact that it is immediately perceived as soon as one crosses the door of this sacred place.
As you continue your tour of the basilica, you will be surrounded by countless artistic masterpieces, including the gilded bronze tomb of Innocent VIII, created by Pollaiolo and considered the oldest of the funerary monuments on site; the tomb of Pius VII in the Clementine Chapel, by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen; the tomb of Urban VIII by Gian Lorenzo Bernini; and the funeral monument of Clement XIII by Antonio Canova. Along the right aisle, the Chapel of St. Sebastian houses the remains of Pope John Paul II.
The resting place of the popes
Did you know that, on the lower level of St. Peter’s Basilica, an additional world of art and spirituality opens up? We are talking about the Vatican Grottoes, a monumental complex of ancient and modern tombs located between the floor of the present basilica and the ancient Constantinian church. Walking among chapels and funerary monuments adorned with statues, mosaics and rich decorations, you can admire the burials of illustrious pontiffs, including that of Pope Ratzinger. A veritable underground museum that leads to the Pre-Constantinian Necropolis below where, among mausoleums dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries, is the tomb of the apostle Peter, the ultimate destination of pilgrimages from all over the world.
Practical information for the visit
1. Admission to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is free. You can book guided tours, with a personalized visiting schedule, through the official website (Click Here) . On the site you will also find all information about the opening and closing times of St. Peter’s Basilica and how to visit Michelangelo’s Dome, the Vatican Grottoes, the Necropolis and the Treasure Museum.
2. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, especially during peak hours, can involve facing long lines. One suggestion we make is to avoid the usually busiest days, such as Wednesday mornings, when the Papal Audience usually takes place, and Sundays, the day when the pope, at 12 noon, recites theAngelus.
3. A little tip: If you have decided to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day, you can access the latter via an internal passageway, called the Stairway of the Sacrament and located just behind the Sistine Chapel. You will thus avoid the long waits that there are usually near the main entrances.
3. Although a treasure trove of priceless masterpieces, St. Peter’s Basilica is a sacred place–not a museum! For this reason, visitors must follow certain rules, which concern first of all clothing: remember to wear knee-length pants and skirts and always cover your shoulders. Inside, it is forbidden to make phone calls, consume food and drinks, bring in animals or bulky objects.
