The Basilica
Frequently asked questions
Year-round: Opening 7:00 AM | Closing 8:00 PM
Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free of charge. Only visitors who wish to guarantee access within a specific time slot during the day are required to book online: this service has a fee, which includes the Digital Audio Guide of St. Peter’s Basilica.
No, it is not mandatory. However, it is recommended in order to avoid long queues and to better organize your visit.
Immediately after booking, you will receive Email No. 1 with the VOUCHER confirming your services. Next, you will receive Email No. 2 with the QR Codes for all participants, to be shown during access checks. QR Codes are mandatory for entry. If you do not receive Email No. 2 within 30 minutes of booking (check your spam folder), please write to booking@basilicasanpietro.va indicating your TIE-xxxx reference number.
On the day of your visit to the Basilica, you can always retrieve the access QR Codes and those for the Digital Audio Guides at https://myqr.basilicasanpietro.va by entering your email and the information found in the confirmation voucher.
Clothing must be appropriate for this sacred place: men are required to wear long trousers, while women must wear skirts below the knee or trousers. Shoulders must be covered for all visitors.
Yes, on the official website www.basilicasanpietro.va it is possible to book guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica with guides accredited by the Fabbrica di San Pietro, available in Italian and English.
To book guided tours in other languages, you may complete the dedicated form.
For further information, you may contact the Guided Tours Office at visiteguidate@fsp.va
The busiest days are Wednesday, when the Papal Audience usually takes place, and Sunday, when the Pope recites the Angelus at 12:00 PM.
Yes, several Masses are celebrated throughout the day. However, some celebrations, such as Papal Masses, require a free admission ticket that must be requested in advance. For further information, please visit www.basilicasanpietro.va
The Basilica is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest metro station is Ottaviano-San Pietro on line A. Several buses stop near Saint Peter's Square.
It is advisable to avoid coming by car as parking spaces in the surrounding area are limited.
Yes, access to the Basilica begins at the security checkpoints operated by the Italian State Police: the checkpoints are located in the right hemicycle of St. Peter’s Square when facing the Basilica. During periods of high attendance, the time required to carry out security checks may result in queues and slower visitor flow.
Yes, St. Peter’s Basilica is accessible to visitors with disabilities through ramps and elevators. Access to the Dome is also partially accessible by elevator. Within the Basilica area, emergency medical and ambulance services are available and can be alerted by the staff of the Fabbrica di San Pietro via radio communication.
Saint Peter's Basilica is open on most holidays, but hours may vary. During major religious celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter, there may be limited access for services.
Yes, during the descent from the Dome, at the terrace level, there is a religious articles shop and a café. Additional religious articles shops can also be found near the Treasury Museum and in the Basilica’s portico (temporary shop).
No, there is no luggage storage facility inside St. Peter’s Basilica, therefore visitors are advised not to bring excessively large bags.
Yes, it is possible to take photographs inside the Basilica, provided that no flash is used and that liturgical celebrations and other visitors are respected.
Yes, there is a shop inside Saint Peter's Basilica selling religious items.
A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica may last from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the visitor’s level of interest.
Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free of charge. Only visitors who wish to guarantee access within a specific time slot during the day are required to book online: this service has a fee, which includes the Digital Audio Guide of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Yes, two different types of audio guide are available:
Digital Audio Guide: included with the online booking service for access to the Basilica, downloadable to your smartphone and usable with personal earphones or headphones.
Analog Audio Guide: available for rental on site at the Welcome Area or at the desks located on the Parvis before entering the Basilica.
The Digital Audio Guide is available in 7 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Chinese.
The Analog Audio Guide is available in 11 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Polish.
The Papal Audience is held every Wednesday (except when the Pope has other commitments) in Saint Peter's Square or in the Paul VI Hall. Free tickets can be requested through the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
Yes, visitors can make donations to support the maintenance of the Basilica or to celebrate Masses. There are special offering boxes inside the Basilica and a dedicated box for offering Mass intentions.
The celebrating priest will always be provided with a Chasuble, while any concelebrating priests are kindly requested to bring their own stole.
Priests will be provided with everything necessary for the Holy Mass, unless otherwise indicated at the time of booking.
The Basilica is a place of prayer. Visitors are required to maintain silence and display respectful behavior in this sacred space.
Groups should stop in the area in front of the Welcome Area, and only the guide should enter to collect the radio guides.
The Basilica is always staffed with Sampietrini (custodians of the Basilica), auxiliary security personnel, and the Vatican Gendarmerie. For any assistance or information, please contact them.
1. Method of use
The Digital Audio Guide is downloaded directly to your smartphone when booking online access to the Basilica and does not require additional devices apart from personal earphones or headphones for listening.
The Analog Audio Guide can be rented directly on site at the Welcome Area or at the desks located before entering the Basilica.
2. Access to the Basilica
The Digital Audio Guide, included with the online booking service, allows access to the Basilica through a dedicated entrance route.
The Analog Audio Guide is a service available exclusively on site and does not include access through dedicated entrance routes.
3. Available languages
The Digital Audio Guide is available in 7 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Chinese.
The Analog Audio Guide is available in 11 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Polish.
Pilgrims and worshippers may use the “Prayer Route” entrance. It begins on Via di Porta Angelica and is marked with yellow signs; it is staffed 12 hours a day by personnel of the Fabbrica di San Pietro.
General questions
Construction of the current Saint Peter's Basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626, replacing the older Basilica built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.
Several famous architects contributed to the design, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo and Bernini. Michelangelo designed the Dome, while Bernini was the author of the Colonnade of the Square.
It is one of the holiest places in the Catholic Church, as it is believed that Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the first Pope, is buried here.
Saint Peter's Basilica is a classic example of Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
Saint Peter's Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. It is approximately 187 meters long and 136 meters high to the top of the Dome.
The Dome, designed by Michelangelo, is one of the largest in the world and represents the majesty of Catholicism and its centrality in Rome.
Among the main works of art are Michelangelo's "Pietà", Bernini's "Baldacchino", the bronze statue of Saint Peter, and numerous mosaics and frescoes.
The Holy Door is opened only during Holy Years (or Jubilees). Crossing it symbolizes an act of penance and the receipt of plenary indulgence.
The first Pope buried in the Basilica was Saint Peter himself, whose tomb is located under the high altar.
Approximately 91 Popes are buried in Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes, including John Paul II and Pius XII.
The keys are the symbol of Saint Peter and represent the power given to him by Christ to "bind and loose" in the Kingdom of Heaven, symbolizing papal authority.
It takes its name from Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the first Pope, considered the founder of the Catholic Church.
A basilica is a church that has special importance for worship or history, while a cathedral is the seat of a bishop. Although St. Peter's Basilica is a papal basilica, the cathedral of Rome is the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Yes, the Vatican Grottoes are open to the public and house the tombs of many Popes, including that of Saint Peter. The visit is free.
In addition to regular Masses, there are special events such as liturgies presided over by the Pope, especially during religious holidays. It is advisable to check the official calendar of the Basilica.
Children are welcome in the Basilica. It is important that they are supervised by adults during the visit. It is recommended to bring everything needed for their comfort.
Inside the Welcome Area, there is a room with a changing table, and it is possible to breastfeed younger children.
Groups must enter Saint Peter's Basilica via the "Prayer Path" located on the right side when facing the Basilica's facade.
The group of faithful should go near the entrance of the Vatican Grottos and wait for the celebrant priest.
The celebrant priest must present themselves at the Sacristy with the celebration booking confirmation and a valid "celebret" document or commendatory letters from their Ordinary or Superior, in accordance with Canon 903.
The sacristy is equipped with liturgical books in the main languages. Celebrants may bring their own liturgical books if desired.
If ministers are present, they must wear their own liturgical attire.
The staff of the Fabbrica di San Pietro will indicate how to reach the assigned place for the celebration.
Due to the proximity of celebrations and chapels where services are held, singing is not permitted to avoid mutual disturbance.
If a group is late, they must inform the following phone number: (+39) 06698 83462.
Audioguides can be kept for the entire duration of the visit.
Radio guides can be rented in the Welcome Area of the Basilica.
Yes, it is possible to make offerings for Masses for the deceased at the Canon's Box inside the Basilica, near the Sacristy corridor and opposite the Chapel of Saint Joseph.
Yes, you can have your child baptized at Saint Peter's. For arrangements, please write to: ufficioparrocchiale@basilicasanpietro.va.
Yes, it is possible to get married at Saint Peter's. For arrangements, please contact: ufficioparrocchiale@basilicasanpietro.va.
The designated area for weddings in the Basilica is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Choir Chapel. However, weddings can also be celebrated at the nearby Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini.
Yes, you can sing with your choir during an Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica. For arrangements, contact the Director of the Cappella Giulia at cappellamusicale@vicariato.va.
Yes, it is possible to celebrate a First Communion in the Basilica.
Yes, you can purchase or bring a container for holy water and have it blessed by the priests at the Canon's Box inside the Basilica, near the Sacristy corridor and opposite the Chapel of Saint Joseph.
Yes, it is possible to have religious items blessed by the priests at the Canon's Box inside the Basilica, near the Sacristy corridor and opposite the Chapel of Saint Joseph.
Yes, it is possible to light electric candles in the Basilica.
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