Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Michelangelo sculpted his
Pietà
when he was 24 years old. (A
pietà
is a work that
representsMarywiththebodyofChristtakendownfromthecross.)Michelangelo'smastery
ofthebodyisobviousinthispowerfullybeautifulmasterpiece.Jesusisbelievablydead,and
Mary,theeternally youthful“handmaiden” oftheLord,accepts God'swill...even ifitmeans
giving up her son.
The tomb of Pope John Paul II was moved to the chapel of San Sebastian in 2011,
after he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI (a step on the road to sainthood). He lies be-
neath a painting of the steadfast St. Sebastian, his favorite saint.
Outside on the north side of St. Peter's, an elevator leads to the roof and the stairway
up the dome. The dome, Michelangelo's last work, is (you guessed it) the biggest anywhere.
Taller than a football field is long, it's well worth the sweaty climb for a great view of
Rome, the Vatican grounds, and the inside of the basilica—particularly heavenly while there
is singing. Look around—Rome has no modern skyline. No building in Rome is allowed
to exceed the height of St. Peter's. The elevator takes you to the rooftop of the nave. From
there,afewstepstakeyoutoabalconyatthebaseofthedomelookingdownintothechurch
interior. After that, the one-way, 323-step climb (for some people, it's claustrophobic) to the
cupola begins. The rooftop level (below the dome) has a gift shop, WC, drinking fountain,
and a commanding view.
For most, the museum-treasury (on the left side of the nave, near the altar) is not
worth the admission.
You're welcome to step through the metalwork gates into the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel, an oasis of peace reserved for prayer and meditation (on the right-hand side of the
church, about midway to the altar).
▲▲▲
The four miles of displays in this immense museum—from ancient statues to Christian fres-
coes to modern paintings—culminate in the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's glorious
Sistine Chapel. This is one of Europe's top three or four houses of art. It can be exhausting,
so plan your visit carefully, focusing on a few themes. Allow two hours for a quick visit,
three or four hours for enough time to enjoy it.
CostandHours:
€15plusoptional €4reservation fee, Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, last entry at
16:00 (though the official closing time is 18:00, the staff starts ushering you out at 17:30),
closed on religious holidays and Sun except last Sun of the month (when it's free, more
crowded, and open 9:00-14:00, last entry at 12:30); may be open Fri nights May-July and
Sept-Oct 19:00-23:00 (last entry at 21:30) by online reservation only. Hours are subject to
constant change and frequent holidays; check
http://mv.vatican.va
for current times. Lines
