Follow Sts Peter and Paul Through Rome
The Sts Peter & Paul in Chains Tour follows the final years, imprisonment and martyrdom of Rome’s two great Apostles, including the chains traditionally associated with both St Peter and St Paul. With an expert Catholic guide, you will visit three sacred sites connected with their witness: the Basilica of St Peter in Chains, the Abbey of Tre Fontane and the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.
St Peter’s Chains and Michelangelo’s Moses
The tour begins at San Pietro in Vincoli, the Basilica of St Peter in Chains. Beneath the high altar are chains traditionally associated with St Peter’s imprisonment in Jerusalem and Rome. Your guide explains the tradition surrounding the chains, St Peter’s miraculous liberation recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and the basilica’s place in Christian Rome.
The church also houses Michelangelo’s celebrated statue of Moses, created for the tomb of Pope Julius II. You will learn how its power, symbolism and unusual details fit within Michelangelo’s unfinished monumental design.
St Paul’s Martyrdom at Tre Fontane
Transport is included to the peaceful Abbey of the Three Fountains, or Tre Fontane, traditionally venerated as the place of St Paul’s martyrdom. Here you will encounter the ancient tradition of the three springs, said to have appeared where the Apostle’s head struck the ground after his execution, together with the column associated with his martyrdom.
The Chains and Tomb of St Paul
The pilgrimage concludes at the magnificent Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four Major Basilicas. Built over the Apostle’s burial place, the basilica preserves the tomb of St Paul beneath the papal altar. Pilgrims also see the chain traditionally associated with St Paul’s imprisonment. Its vast interior, ancient traditions and sacred art provide a fitting conclusion to a journey through the Apostle’s mission, suffering and witness to Christ.
A Catholic Tour of Apostolic Rome
This three-hour Catholic tour brings together Scripture, history, sacred relics and great art. It is especially suited to pilgrims wishing to understand why Sts Peter and Paul are honoured together as the two pillars of the Church of Rome—and how the Word of God endured despite imprisonment and persecution.
For other individual experiences, explore our Catholic Tours. For multi-day packages combining several tours, visit our Pilgrimages page.
Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour, less the cost of any tickets or transport already purchased on your behalf.
| MEETING POINT |
To the right of the main entrance of the Basilica of St Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli), by the statue of Jesus depicted as a beggar. |
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| END POINT | Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica San Paolo) is where the Saints Peter and Paul in Chains Tour ends. | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 2.45 meet for 3.00pm departure Thursdays | ||||
| DURATION | 3 hours | ||||
| 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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Basilica of St Peter in Chains
The tour begins at the Basilica of St Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli). Beneath the high altar are chains traditionally associated with St Peter’s imprisonment in Jerusalem and Rome. Your guide explains their history and the account of St Peter’s miraculous liberation in the Acts of the Apostles. You will also see Michelangelo’s celebrated statue of Moses, created for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
Abbey of the Three Fountains
Transport is included to the Abbey of the Three Fountains (Tre Fontane), traditionally venerated as the site of St Paul’s martyrdom. Your guide recounts the tradition of the three springs and shows you the column associated with the Apostle’s execution, within this peaceful monastic complex south of central Rome.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
The pilgrimage concludes at the magnificent Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four Major Basilicas. Built over the Apostle’s burial place, the basilica preserves the tomb of St Paul beneath the papal altar. Here pilgrims also see the chain traditionally associated with St Paul’s imprisonment. Your guide brings together the story of his mission, martyrdom and enduring witness to Christ.
To the right of the main entrance of the Basilica of St Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli), by the statue of Jesus depicted as a beggar.
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Tour Reviews
Truly special. The sheer treasures that are in Rome boggle the mind. Our guide, Tom, was incredible: entertaining, warm, funny, and truly a man of God. The Basilica of St Paul blew my mind. This whole experience brought the true history of 2000 years ago right up clear and present in front of our eyes. If anyone is questioning their faith, come to this place, see the relics and the ruins, remember how it all came to be. I don’t think there’s anyone out there like Crucis Tours.
A once in a lifetime tour. When booking tours for our first trip to Rome, we looked at the typical places to visit, but I knew there had to be more. This tour explored the treasures hidden in plain sight for those seeking. My husband and I were in awe of our guide Tom–he’s brilliant. He started at the beginning and led us through time as we went to each site. His passion for sharing his faith through his knowledge of history and art was evident in his delivery. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and felt like we were on a walk with a very intelligent and humorous friend. HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED!
It wasn’t just Tom’s knowledge that kept us coming back—it was his genuine warmth and hospitality. Despite our familiarity with Rome’s streets and landmarks, Tom made each tour feel fresh and exciting, as if we were experiencing it for the first time. His ability to tailor the experience to our interests and preferences ensured that no two tours were alike, leaving us eagerly anticipating our next adventure together.
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