St Peter's Basilica and Square
The greatest church in Christendom - Michelangelo's dome over the tomb of St Peter, above a vast colonnaded square, the heart of the Vatican, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
St Peter's Basilica is the greatest church in Christendom, raised over the tomb of the apostle Peter, crowned by Michelangelo's mighty dome and filled with treasures including his sculpted Pieta. It opens onto St Peter's Square, Bernini's vast oval embraced by a colonnade, the heart of the Vatican and of the Catholic world, where the pope addresses the faithful.
What you actually see
- The basilica - the vast interior, Bernini's baldachin and Michelangelo's Pieta.
- The dome - the climb up Michelangelo's dome for a view over Rome.
- St Peter's Square - Bernini's great colonnaded oval.
- The papal appearances - the Wednesday audience and Sunday blessing.
When to go
Year-round; spring and autumn are milder. Go early to avoid the long security queue, and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, or you will be turned away.
Honest expectations
The security queue to enter the basilica can be very long, so go early. A strict modest dress code is enforced. It is a working church and place of pilgrimage, so services and papal events can restrict access, and it is always busy.
Nearby
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are alongside; the Castel Sant'Angelo is a short walk.
What to pack for St Peter's Basilica and Square
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
