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Escavation Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's & St. Peter's Basilica

4 (128)
Rome, IT
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Escavation Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's & St. Peter's Basilica

4 (128)
Rome, IT
Share
Experience the ancient mysteries of Rome with the Scavi Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's and Tour of St. Peter's Basilica. This exclusive Vatican tour grants access to a restricted area of Vatican City, with less than 100 permits granted per day. Explore the archaeological wonders of the Vatican necropolis, an incredibly well-preserved ancient cemetery filled with artifacts, frescoes, and bas-reliefs that transport you back to the times of imperial Rome and early Christian persecutions. Discover the tomb of St. Peter, excavated more than 80 years ago, and pay your respects to the martyr. The tour also includes a guided visit of St. Peter's Basilica, where you can marvel at Bernini's "Baldacchino" and Michelangelo's "Pietà." Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to delve into the history and spirituality of Vatican City.

About this experience

  • Non Refundable There is no return, refund or cancellation possible with this product
  • Admission Not Included
  • 3 hours
  • Suitable for 1-2 Participants
  • Small Group Tour, Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Exclusive access to restricted area of Vatican City
  • Visit the best-preserved ancient cemetery in Rome
  • See artefacts, frescoes, and bas-reliefs from imperial Rome
  • Skip the line and enter St. Peter's Basilica
  • Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica's highlights
  • tombs of Popes under St. Peter's Basilica
  • St. Peter's Basilica Tour
  • Scavi Tour
  • gratuity
  • admissions and booking fee Euro 25/person paid on site

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More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the hidden wonders beneath Vatican City with the Scavi Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's and tour of St. Peter's Basilica. This exclusive Vatican tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the Vatican necropolis, an ancient cemetery that holds the tomb of St. Peter. With only a limited number of permits granted per day, this tour promises an intimate and immersive experience into the history and legacy of Rome. Step back in time as you encounter artifacts, frescoes, and bas-reliefs that transport you to the days of imperial Rome and early Christian persecutions. Alongside the visit to the excavations area, you will also embark on a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, an iconic symbol of the Catholic Church.

What to expect?

During this 180-minute tour, you can expect to delve into the depths of history and spirituality. Begin your journey at St. Peter's Square, where you'll meet your knowledgeable and friendly guide. As you explore the stunning Bernini's Colonnade, capture a photo by the ceremonial Vatican entrance before entering St. Peter's Basilica. Skip the long lines and explore the lower level of the Basilica, which houses the tombs of popes. Afterward, venture into the Vatican Necropolis, an ancient Roman cemetery with preserved tombs and decorations from the 1st century AD. Uncover the story behind St. Peter's martyrdom and visit his tomb, excavated over 80 years ago. Finally, re-enter St. Peter's Basilica to admire the masterpieces of Bernini and Michelangelo, including the iconic "Baldacchino" and "Pietà."

Who is this for?

This incredible tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and those seeking a spiritual connection. Whether you're a devout Catholic, a curious traveler, or someone keen on exploring the secrets of Rome, this experience is for you. The Scavi Tour caters to a diverse range of visitors and is suitable for anyone over the age of 16. It offers a unique perspective on the Vatican, allowing you to dive deep into its rich history and discover the treasured legacy of St. Peter.

Why book this?

This one-of-a-kind Vatican tour offers exclusive access to the restricted area of Vatican City, providing you with an intimate and profound experience. With less than 100 permits granted per day, you'll feel privileged to explore the remarkable Vatican necropolis and witness the tomb of St. Peter. Led by expert guides, you'll gain valuable insights into the ancient cemetery and its significance in early Christianity. The tour also includes a guided visit to the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, showcasing masterpieces by Bernini and Michelangelo. By booking this tour, you'll uncover the secrets of the Vatican and forge a deeper connection with Rome's storied past.

Good to know

Please note that to participate in the Scavi Tour, visitors must be at least 16 years old. Additionally, the order of sights visited may be subject to change due to religious functions in St. Peter's Basilica. As demand for this tour is extremely high and availability is limited, bookings are limited to a maximum of 2 guests per booking. It is important to arrive at the meeting point, located outside hotel Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time to allow for necessary security checks and access to the scavi office inside the Vatican. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Vatican City.

Reviews

The Scavi Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's and tour of St. Peter's Basilica has garnered rave reviews from visitors. Many have praised the exceptional knowledge and passion of the guides, who bring the ancient cemetery and Basilica to life with their captivating storytelling. Visitors commend the opportunity to explore the exclusive necropolis and pay homage at the tomb of St. Peter, considering it a profound and moving experience. The guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica leaves a lasting impression, with visitors in awe of the breathtaking architecture and masterpieces it houses. Overall, travelers express their gratitude for this extraordinary Vatican tour, highlighting its remarkable historical and spiritual significance.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

St. Peter's Square

Meet our staff at St. Peter's Square within splendid Bernini's Colonnade and stop for a photo by the Bronze Doors, the ceremonial Vatican entrance, guarded by the Swiss Guards

St. Peter's Basilica

Enter St. Peter's Basilica with skip line pass and walk through the lower level of St. Peter's Basilica lined with tombs of Pope's

Vatican Necropolis

Visit ancient Roman cemetery with tombs and preserved decorations from the 1st century AD. Learn why St. Peter was martyred at Nero's Circus in 64 AD and why he was buried at the Roman cemetery on the slope of the Vatican hill, later covered by the construction of the first Vatican basilica at the time of emperor Constantine. Pay respect at St. Peter's Tomb excavated together with the necropolis over 80 years ago under Pope Pius XII. This is the most exclusive Vatican tour with fewer than 100 permits granted per day.

Admission Not Included

St. Peter's Basilica

Re-enter St. Peter's Basilica to continue with the guided tour. See the highlights of the church including Bernini's “Baldacchino” and Michelangelo's “Pietà” Your guided tour will end inside St. Peter's and you may stay on for your further private exploration

Reviews

(128)

4 (128)

Charles_R

I will write to corporate about a very disappointing experience in detail. Suffice to say; Poor communication regarding a rescheduled meeting time; No guided tour of the Basilica, despite not having to pay for the guided Basilica tour as promised; Great guides -Anna and Silvia, FIVE stars for their informative guidance. Without the Basilica guided portion, just arranging the Crypt tour through the Vatican SCAVI website would be 15€ each. We paid just over $200 for two and received no guided tour of the Basilica proper, no communication by Viator about the one hour and 15 minute delay, while two fellow tourists had been informed. We had to call, unsuccessfully three times, and email to discover the rescheduled start at Palazzo Cesi. Wasted time, poor customer communication service!

Hermann_K

The guide was perfect. Broad knowledge. Very motivated to make that event unforgettable. When we came to the meeting point she was already around. She had organized someone to wait for us in the queue into St Peter. On our way through the control she gave us already a lot of facts about the dome. Not one second was left unused.

Sheila_L

Wonderful tour. Exceptional experience! Highly recommend! Especially enjoyed the history of it all! Our tour guide did a wonderful job! I recommend you allow more Before the tour to find the meeting location. Traffic can be bad.

jcummingsjr2

Without question the Scavi excavation site tour was the highlight of our 10 day travel to Rome! The one hour tour was led by a highly informed Vatican employee and guide. The small group tour (7 in total) felt as if we were privy to something special! In our group we were blessed to be joined by a Canadian priest who was studying in Rome! He shared many insights about the important role of Saint Peter in the history of the church!

mfarnand

We paid for a small group tour capped at 6. We ended up as part of a group of 12 and had to jockey for position to see the crypts. Our original time (which was booked months in advance) was changed the day before our arrival- which threw off our entire day and we were unable to see the Villa Medici as planned. We were notified that Our tour of Saint Peters Basilica (also planned months in advance) and a huge part of this tour, was not possible because no guide was available. We paid over $200 for this tour and we did NOT get what we were promised at ALL. Will we be receiving a refund from Viator??

Jodi_R

We had a great time on this tour! The guides were all very organized and knowledgeable and kept us very well informed the whole time on what was going to happen throughout the tour. I highly recommend this tour if you go to Rome!

Andrea_A

Fascinating historical experience with highly knowledgeable guide. A little disappointed that the alleged bones of St. Peter were far inside a hole so we weren’t sure what we were looking at. The guide had to tell us that there is a small plexiglass case in there with bone pieces in it, but we had to stretch our necks a little and are not confident we saw bones, perhaps also because there was reflection off the plexiglass box but again it generally just wasn’t clear.

Camille_W

The Scavi tour itself is excellent. But go straight to the source instead of using Viator. They moved my your back an hour the day before the tour and I had already bought my Vatican museum tickets. As a result, we didn’t even get to see St Peter’s Basilica, we had to literally run to get to the Vatican museums in time. The tour guide said we’d get refunded part of our cost but that has yet to happen. I’ve done the tour before and bought it straight from the source and I should have done that this time too.

Clare_P

This tour is well worth the visit, our guide provided us with a most illuminating tour, he was very patient with us and answered all of the questioned posed to him with a wide breadth of knowledge. He was able to bring history back to life for us and enabled us to visualise how the different periods had culminated in what we see today. The wooden model of the previous basilica was amazing. Each step of the tour was explained in great detail, which was most helpful for everyone. We all had an opportunity to look into the burial chambers and our guide provided us with a sense of the gravity of what we were able to witness beneath the current basilica. A must do tour if you have the opportunity.

kelly_m

Our guide, Agnes was delightful and very knowledgeable! Great experience! I would highly recommend this tour!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-23 11:24
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