St Paul’s Tomb Tour

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St Paul’s Tomb Tour: Visit the Apostle in Rome

St Paul’s Tomb Tour, also described as the St Paul Outside the Walls Basilica Tour, is a one-hour Catholic pilgrimage through one of Rome’s four Major Basilicas. Built over the traditional burial place of the Apostle St Paul, the basilica brings together his martyrdom and tomb with some of the most impressive sacred architecture and mosaics in Rome.

The Martyrdom and Burial of St Paul

Your guide begins with the life and mission of St Paul the Apostle, his imprisonment in Rome and his martyrdom under the Emperor Nero. According to ancient Christian tradition, the Apostle was buried beside the Via Ostiense, where successive basilicas were constructed above his tomb.

Beneath the papal altar stands the ancient sarcophagus associated with St Paul. Scientific examination announced by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 dated organic material found within the sarcophagus to the first or second century, consistent with the ancient and continuous tradition that this is the Apostle’s burial place.

The Tomb of St Paul

At the heart of the basilica, pilgrims can pray before the tomb of St Paul and see the chain traditionally associated with his imprisonment in Rome. Your Catholic guide explains the scriptural accounts of his final years in Rome, his martyrdom and the enduring witness of the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Architecture, Mosaics and Papal Portraits

The basilica’s vast nave leads towards the triumphal arch and magnificent apse mosaics. Your guide explains their biblical imagery, the thirteenth-century ciborium by Arnolfo di Cambio and the celebrated series of mosaic portraits depicting the popes from St Peter onwards.

You will also learn about the devastating fire of 1823 and the extraordinary reconstruction that preserved the basilica’s ancient form and character.

The Holy Door and Jubilee 2033

St Paul Outside the Walls contains one of the Holy Doors of Rome’s four Major Basilicas. The door is now closed following the Jubilee Year of 2025, but remains visible to visitors. It is expected to reopen for the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033.

St Bridget’s Crucifix and the Benedictine Tradition

The tour also explores the basilica’s side chapels and monastic history, including the crucifix traditionally associated with a vision of St Bridget of Sweden. Benedictine monks have served the shrine for centuries, maintaining its life of prayer beside the tomb of the Apostle.

Why make a pilgrimage to St Paul’s tomb?

St Paul’s Tomb Tour places the Apostle’s writings and missionary witness within the Roman church built above his burial place. For Catholics, praying here is an encounter with the man chosen by Christ to carry the Gospel to the nations. The basilica’s scale and beauty serve that apostolic memory rather than overshadowing it.

St Paul’s Tomb Tour is especially valuable when paired with St Peter’s Basilica: together, the two shrines express Rome’s devotion to the Apostles Peter and Paul. For historical context, see the Vatican’s official history of St Paul Outside the Walls and the Catholic Encyclopedia’s account of St Paul’s burial on the Ostian Way.

Visit Rome’s Four Major Basilicas

To continue your pilgrimage, explore our 4 Major Basilicas tours and pilgrimage packages. The collection includes individual basilica tours together with one-day and multi-day options.

Read the Catholic pilgrim’s guide to the four Major Basilicas

Understand how the four churches belong together in the Catholic life of Rome with the Crucis guide to the four Major Basilicas of Rome.

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