Visit the Tomb of St Paul in Rome
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 material found within the sarcophagus to the first or second century, supporting—without independently proving—the ancient tradition concerning the 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.
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.
| 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 | ||||
| FINISHING LOCATION | Inside the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 12:30 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; & 1 pm Saturdays | ||||
| DURATION | Approx. 1 hour | ||||
| DRESS CODE | Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees | ||||
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Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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The Atrium and History of the Basilica
The tour begins in the monumental atrium, where your Catholic guide introduces the life, mission and martyrdom of St Paul the Apostle. You will learn why the basilica was built beside the Via Ostiense and how it was reconstructed after the devastating fire of 1823.
The Holy Door
See the Holy Door of St Paul Outside the Walls and learn about its role in Catholic Jubilee years. The door is now closed following the Jubilee of 2025 and is expected to reopen for the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033.
The Nave, Mosaics and Papal Portraits
Inside the basilica, explore the immense nave, the triumphal arch and the series of mosaic medallions portraying the popes. Your guide explains their history, imagery and the popular tradition associated with the remaining spaces.
The Tomb of St Paul
At the papal altar, pray before the ancient sarcophagus identified with St Paul’s burial place and see the chain traditionally associated with his imprisonment in Rome. Your guide explains the archaeological investigation and the carefully qualified scientific findings announced in 2009.
The Apse Mosaics and Medieval Ciborium
Discover the biblical and theological symbolism of the magnificent apse mosaics and the thirteenth-century ciborium by Arnolfo di Cambio, two of the basilica’s most important artistic treasures.
St Bridget’s Crucifix and Benedictine Heritage
The tour concludes with the side chapels, the crucifix traditionally associated with a vision of St Bridget of Sweden and the Benedictine community that has served the shrine of St Paul for centuries.
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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