Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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There is no doubt: This is the richest and grandest church on earth. To call it vast is like
calling Einstein smart. Plaques on the floor show where other, smaller churches would end
if they were placed inside. The ornamental cherubs would dwarf a large man. Birds roost in-
side, and thousands of people wander about, heads craned heavenward, hardly noticing each
other.Don'tmissMichelangelo's
Pietà
(behindbulletproofglass)totherightoftheentrance.
Bernini's altar work and twisting, towering canopy are brilliant.
Cost:
Free entry to basilica and crypt. Dome climb-€6 if you take the stairs all the way
up, or €7 to ride an elevator partway (to the roof), then climb to the top of the dome (for
details, see “Dome Climb,” later). Museum-Treasury-€6.
Hours:
The
church
is open daily April-Sept 7:00-19:00, Oct-March 7:00-18:00. It
closes on Wednesday mornings during papal audiences.
Mass
is held daily, generally in
Italian and in the south (left) transept, though other possible locations are the apse and the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel (on right side of nave). Mass is typically scheduled on Mon-Sat
at 8:30, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 (in Latin, in the apse); and on Sun and holidays
at 9:00, 10:30 (in Latin), 11:30, 12:15, 13:00, 16:00, and 17:45. Confirm the schedule and
location on site, or go to
www.vatican.va
(click on “Basilicas and Papal Chapels” link).
The
Museum-Treasury
is open daily April-Sept 9:00-18:15, Oct-March 9:00-17:15.
The
crypt
is open daily 9:00-16:00. The
dome
is open to climbers daily April-Sept
8:00-18:00, Oct-March 8:00-16:45, last entry 30 minutes before closing.
When to Go:
The best time to visit the church is early (before 10:00) or late; at 17:00,
when the church is fairly empty, sunbeams can work their magic, and the late-afternoon
Massfillstheplacewithspiritualmusic.Thedownsidetovisitinglateisthattheareaaround
the altar and beyond is often roped off from around 16:00 to prepare for Mass. Still, the
shorter line, smaller crowds, and ambience might make it worthwhile.
Avoiding Lines:
The security-checkpoint lines can get quite long and there's no reliable
waytoavoidthem (thankfully,theymoverelatively quickly). Occasionally,St.Peter'sisac-
cessiblefromtheVaticanMuseum(thoughthemuseumcomeswithitsownlonglines,which
can be avoided if you reserve your entry time). If you visit the Vatican Museum first, pray
that the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel directly to St. Peter's is open (depends on crowd
levels—see
here
for specifics.)
Dress Code:
No shorts, above-the-knee skirts, or bare shoulders (this applies to men,
women, and children). Attendants strictly enforce this dress code, even in hot weather.
Getting There:
Take the Metro to Ottaviano, then walk 10 minutes south on Via Ottavi-
ano. There are several good bus options: The #40 express bus drops off at Piazza Pio, next
to Castel Sant'Angelo—a 10-minute walk to St. Peter's. The more crowded bus #64 is con-
venient for pickpockets and stops just outside St. Peter's Square to the south (get off the bus
