Michelangelo’s dome, his Pietà and Bernini’s bronze canopy under one roof. Walking into the church is free — what you pay for is a guide, the climb to the dome, or a way round the long security line in the square.
The basilica stands over the traditional burial place of Saint Peter. The present church replaced a 4th-century basilica and took more than a century to build, with Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo and Maderno all shaping the design. Michelangelo’s dome, finished after his death, still dominates the Roman skyline.
Just inside on the right is Michelangelo’s Pietà, carved when he was in his early twenties and now behind glass. Under the dome, Bernini’s bronze baldacchino rises above the papal altar, and his Chair of Saint Peter glows in the apse beyond. Below the floor, the Vatican Grottoes hold the tombs of many popes.
Allow one to two hours for the church, plus an hour or so for the dome climb. The dress code is strict: shoulders and knees must be covered, or you will be turned away at security. The basilica is closed to tourists during some ceremonies, so check the Vatican’s calendar before you go. Many visitors combine it with the Vatican Museums on the same day.
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