Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DOME
To climb the dome, the entrance is to the right of the basilica. A small lift takes you
halfway up, but it's still a long climb to the top (320 steps). Press on, however, and you're
rewarded with stunning views. It's well worth the effort, but bear in mind that it's a long
and tiring climb and not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia or ver-
tigo.
MUSEO STORICO ARTISTICO
Accessed from the left nave, the Museo Storico Artistico sparkles with sacred relics and
priceless artefacts, including a tabernacle by Donatello and the 6th-century
Crux Vaticana
, a jewel-studded cross that was a gift of the emperor Justinian II.
VATICAN GROTTOES
Extending beneath the basilica, the Vatican Grottoes were created as a burial place for
popes. You'll see the tombs and sarcophagi of many popes, as well as several huge
columns from the original 4th-century basilica.
TOMB OF ST PETER
Excavations beneath the basilica have uncovered part of the original church and what the
Vatican believes is the Tomb of St Peter. In 1942 the bones of an elderly, strongly built
man were found in a box hidden behind a wall covered by pilgrims' graffiti. After more
than 30 years of forensic examination, in 1976 Pope Paul VI declared the bones to be
those of St Peter.
The excavations can only be visited on a 90-minute guided tour. To book a spot, email
the Ufficio Scavi (scavi@fsp.va).
St Peter's Square
(Piazza San Pietro; Ottaviano-San Pietro)
The Vatican's grand central space, St Peter's
Square was designed by baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and laid out between 1656
and 1667. Seen from above, it resembles a giant keyhole with two semicircular colon-
nades, each consisting of four rows of Doric columns, encircling a giant ellipse that
straightens out to funnel believers into the basilica. The effect was deliberate - Bernini de-
scribed the colonnades as representing 'the motherly arms of the church'.
PIAZZA
