St Peter’s Basilica Tour – Explore the most beautiful church in the world with our devout guide
IMPORTANT: Pilgrims wishing to pass through the Holy Doors during the Jubilee Year must register and book time slots here.
St Peter’s Basilica in Rome needs no introduction. The most famous church in the world is such a breath-taking sight it attracts millions of visitors every year and the Holy Jubilee Year of 2025 will see millions more.
One of the four Major Basilicas in Rome, to enter the glorious Piazza San Pietro in front of the Basilica is to enter the Vatican City state and the sight is jaw-dropping thanks to the great Baroque Renaissance masters who presided over its design in the golden age of art, architecture and sculpture.
The Crucis St Peter’s Tour concentrates on the Basilica itself and not the Vatican Museums or the Sistine Chapel. Here with our devout Catholic guide you’ll learn about the history of the Basilica and study its immense interior. Mesmerising mosaics give Catechesis in their symbolism not usually interpreted by more mainstream guides.
St Peter’s Basilica is of course, home to one of the four Holy Doors that will open in 2025 that pilgrims may pass through them as part of a larger quest for Partial Indulgence. It is also the final resting place of St Peter himself, the Rock upon which Christ built His Church and the first ever pope.
After the St Peter’s Basilica standalone tour you’ll also have the irresistible option to climb the many steps that lead up to the top of the famous dome, which can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and which offers a stupendous vista down the magnificent thoroughfare of Via della Conciliazione and the historical city centre of Rome.
Those who wish to enter all four of the the Holy Doors in one day may be interested in our Crucis Holy Doors Pilgrim Tour.
Our bite-size standalone tours of each of the Basilicas, on the other hand, are ideal for visitors with less stamina and at one-hour duration, make a great budget option for those short of time too.
Check out our Catholic-led tours of the Cathedral of St John Lateran, the Basilica of St Mary Major and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.
Free Cancellation up to 72 hours before the tour start time. To learn more about the Catholic faith, visit Crucis.cc.
| MEETING POINT | The giant obelisk in the centre of Piazza San Pietro:
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| FINISHING LOCATION | Piazza San Pietro | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 8:30am Tuesdays, Thursdays | ||||
| DURATION | Approx. 1 hour – 90 minutes | ||||
| 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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| Day of the Week | Tuesday, Thursday |
The History
As we hopefully head up the line to enter the Basilica of St Peter our devout Catholic guide and theological scholar will introduce the long and varied history of this unique and sacred place.
The Holy Door
One of the four Holy Doors that adorn Rome’s four Major Basilicas. The Doors will open throughout the Holy Jubileum Year of 2025 for pilgrims to pass through.
Architecture
The architecture of St Peter’s is a priceless artistic treasure in its own right, with the tangible fruits of the labours of Michelangelo, Borromini and Bernini to behold at ever turn.
Relics of the Passion of Christ
Present in the Basilica of San Pietro are also the Holy Lance with which He was pierced and the Veil of Veronica, that wiped His bloody brow on His final journey – the Via Crucis.
The Baroque
More secular-minded experience providers will usually pass by the astonishing Catechesis in the glorious mosaics and other artworks that spread through this magnificent Basilica. At Crucis Tours however, our pilgrim experiences are led by devout Catholics able to share the blessing of their teachings.
At the giant obelisk in the centre of Piazza San Pietro.
Tour Reviews
We had actually booked a Vatican Museums tour with another company that included a final tour of St Peters but we were very disappointed with the guide who seemed anti-Catholic to us. We therefore decided to book a separate tour through Crucis Tours and we are so glad we did. This time our guide was superb – thoroughly religious and knew his history too. For those wanting to know more about St Peters, use this company and not any of the others hawking their wares on the street! God bless you!
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