Major Basilica of St Paul Tour – One of the Four Major Basilicas and Holy Doors of Rome
Our Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls Tour takes place at the jaw-dropping Basilica built over the body of St Paul – one of the 4 Major Basilicas of Rome and one of mind-blowing historical and religious significance.
The Basilica of St Paul (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is a must-see pilgrim activity for those on pilgrimage to Rome, especially during the Jubilee Year. This tour explains the history of how the body of St Paul came to be placed here, the history of the Basilica built over his body and the fascinating rediscovery and scientific verification of his remains in the 21st century.
After your guide explains the various exterior features of the Basilica of St Paul including the fascinating and beautiful doors, gardened courtyard and huge statues, you will also marvel at the grandeur of the interior of the Basilica and it’s stunning mosaics and architecture. In the Jubilee Year you will enter into the Basilica through its Holy Door with the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.
Once inside, your guide will explain the jaw-dropping nave with it’s 5th century mosaics explaining their scriptural significance, before journey past the statues of the 12 apostles up to the main altar with it’s 12th century canape and mosaics. You will learn about the mosaic medallions encircling the Basilica interior and the spooky legend concerning them, in addition to learning about the origins and development of the monastic community caring for the shrine of St Paul.
This will be the point that your guide will explain the Tomb of St Paul and the story of his body, together with the Chains of St Paul that bound him when he was a prisoner in Rome. You will learn about the scientific discoveries supporting the documentary evidence around his remains, before descending to the Tomb to pray before the sarcophagus containing his relics.
Finally your guide will help you explore the features and theology of the small side chapels, including a miraculous crucifix, and understand the association of St Paul and St Stephen with monasticism.
One of the most ancient Basilicas of Rome, and of course one of the most important given that it contains the body of one of the Pillars of the Church – the Apostle St Paul.
For those pilgrims who wish to enter the Holy Doors of all four of the Major Basilicas then check out our other 3 Major Basilica standalone tours. For those who wish to do these as part of a package over a period of days for cost effectiveness, then you may instead consider one of our Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Packages. You can also read about traditional pilgrimage traditions of Jubilee Years such as the 7 Pilgrim Churches of St Philip Neri.
If however, you wish to do each Basilica in isolation, then we offer stand-alone tours of around 1 hour each allowing a more flexible approach: the Cathedral of St John Lateran, the Basilica of St Mary Major and the Basilica of St Peter.
This fascinating major Basilica of St Paul Tour explains:
- The life and martyrdom of St Paul
- The construction of the Basilica and major events in its history
- The Holy Chains that bound St Paul during his imprisonment in Rome
- The sarcophagus and relic remains of St Paul
- The monastic link with St Paul
- The symbolism of the spectacular mosaics
Read the Itinerary tab above to learn how important this tour is for religious pilgrims to Rome.
For those particularly interested in the life of St Paul, you may also be interested in our Saints Peter and Paul Tour.
| MEETING POINT | Outside the “Bar Tabacchi Pappagone di Francesconi Monica” on Via Ostiense . Please check carefully the map links below which show the location of the meeting point accurate to 3 square metres.
See precise Google Map location What3Words address: paradise.smudges.clocked |
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| FINISHING LOCATION | Inside the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 12:30 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; &
1 pm Saturdays |
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| DURATION | Approx. 1 hour | ||||
| DRESS CODE | Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees | ||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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The History
We begin our Basilica of St Paul Holy Door tour in front of the stunning façade of the Basilica in its atrium of paradise, where your expert guide will tell you about the fascinating life and death of St Paul.
The Holy Door
We then make our way to the Holy Door where your guide will explain the tradition and history of the Door and its practical purpose.
Architecture
Next we’ll enter the Basilica where you will be mesmerised by the majestic architecture and grandeur of the nave, with a focus on the symbolism of the stunning arch mosaics.
Relics of St Paul
You will then be shown the reliquary containing the Holy Chains that bound St Paul in Rome before peering at the sarcophagus that contains his body, recently rediscovered and scientifically analysed. Pilgrims will have the chance to pray for a moment before his tomb.
The Apse Mosaics
Journeying past the high altar, your guide will explain the fascinating theological symbolism of the elaborate mosaics of the apse, whilst also pointing out the medallion mosaics and their fascinating yet spooky prophesy.
The Monastic Links
Finally your guide will help you explore the features and theology of the small side chapels, including a miraculous crucifix, and understand the association of St Paul and St Stephen with monasticism.
Outside the “Bar Tabacchi Pappagone di Francesconi Monica” on Via Ostiense . Please check carefully the map links below which show the location of the meeting point accurate to 3 square metres.
See precise Google Map location
What3Words address: paradise.smudges.clocked
Tour Reviews
Lovely Canadian guy took us on this short tour. we heard and learnt a lot of history in a short space of time. He knows his Bible much better than I and actually made you feel more inquisitive as to history behind the scenes. Recommend him, and better still i was looking to where to find him and he found us first!!
We were the only ones who had booked a guide in the morning and had Tom all to ourselves. He is a fantastically skilled guide who posted about all relevant material about the Basilica and also answered questions and shared personal thoughts about the content with us. We are very satisfied and highly recommend this tour 👌👏😊
We had a most knowledgeable guide who went over and above our expectations. We left the tour, having taken a handful of other tours elsewhere in Rome, thinking that this was by far our favorite and best tour.
Matt, is a great guy, we loved his tour. Great.
Beautiful! Our guide was very accommodating and informative.
We went on several tours during our time in Rome, and the Crucis guide was by far the best and most knowledgable! We thoroughly enjoyed his wide breadth of information and everything we learned from him.
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