Welcome to the largest church in the world by interior space, St Peter’s Basilica, also known as the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano, serves as a significant place of worship for Roman Catholics.
The St Peter’s Basilica is built over the burial site of Saint Peter, the 12th Apostle of Jesus Christ. The history of St. Peter’s Basilica dates back to 4th century by the Emperor Constantine I, and visiting this place will definitely make your Europe Tour Packages from India, a memory worth a lifetime.
Highlights of St Peter’s Basilica
Here are the major highlights of St Peter’s Basilica:
- Location: Vatican City
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
- Timings: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Attire: Modest(No shorts or sleeveless tops)
- Design: Baroque
- St Basilica Dome: 136,57 meters tall
- Capacity: 60,000 people
- Date of Consecration: November 18, 1626
- Architects: Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno, Bernini
St Peter's Basilica Tickets
- Basilica: Free Entry
- Dome Entry: ₹1645
The best part about the St Peter’s Basilica is that the entry is free, so you don’t need to buy tickets to enter. However, if you wish to enter the dome, then you will require a ticket do so, which will cost you around ₹1645.
St Peter’s Basilica Timings
The Basilica opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. so you can plan your day accordingly. However, remember that on Wednesday mornings, the St Peter’s Basilica remains closed.
Best Time to Visit St Peter's Basilica
- Spring(April-June): The Spring season is believed to be the overall best time to visit St Peter’s Basilica due to mild weather, and moderate crowds. Besides, you can also participate in the Easter celebration.
- Winter(Mid-November-March): If you are looking for a quiet visit, it’s best to visit during the months between November to March. There are very few tourists, cooler weather and you can also enjoy Christmas celebrations here.
- Weekdays: Weekdays are more preferable than weekends, when the place remains crowded. Avoid Sundays and Wednesdays.
How to Reach St. Peter's Basilica?
There are several ways to reach St Peter’s Basilica:
- By Metro: You can go for Red Line A from the Roma Termini, and hopp off at the Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station. From here, the station is just 10 minutes walk away. You can also hop off at the Cipro Station, on Line A itself, which is also nearby.
- By Bus: If you wish to explore the place like a local, you can take bus line number 40, and 64, which will drop you near the Basilica, just a few minutes walk away.
- By Train: You can take trains from Roma Termini including RE 12524, REG 12514, or RE 4134, and stop at the Pietro Station, which is 11 minutes from the Basilica.
- By Taxi: You can take an individual cab or go for a ride share, the cost of which will depend on the distance covered.
Tourist Spots Near St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican City is the smallest Independent country in the world and it is said that it can be covered in just three hours including all the tourist attractions. So there are a few tourist attractions near St Peter’s Basilica that you can explore while you are in the Vatican City.
- Sistine Chapel: The Sistine Chapel is popular for its rectangular shaped brick buildings and paintings on it’s ceilings, and the Pope lives here.
- Vatican Garden: Vatican Gardens are among the most beautiful gardens in all of Rome, offering a perfect mix of flowers, trees, bushes and what not. The best part is that the Garden does not remain crowded, so you can consider it an offbeat place.
- Vatican Library: The Vatican Library is said to be one of the oldest libraries in the world which contains a collection of about 1.1 million books along with 75000 codices.
- St. Peter’s Square: St Peter’s Square is among the most popular attractions in the Vatican City, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the place can hold a total of 400,000 people in one at a time.
Tips For Visiting St Peter's Basilica
It is important to note a few things before visiting the St Peter’s Basilica:
- Security Check: Before you enter the Basilica, you need to go through airport style screening for security reasons.
- No Entry From The Vatican Museum: If you are thinking that you can enter the Basilica directly from the Vatican Museum, then you are wrong because you need to exit the museums and walk through the Vatican Walls to reach the Basilica.
