Pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica

What to Expect

Renaissance masterpieces and interior decoration of the basilica
In St. Peter's Basilica, which impresses with its monumental size and harmony of proportions, you will see works of art from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, statues and altars of intricate workmanship, tombs of Roman popes, kings, and emperors. I will draw your attention to the details of the church's interior decoration, which is done in mosaic technique and illustrates scenes from the life of Christ, the apostles, and saints. I will tell you about the construction of St. Peter's Basilica, on the perfect appearance of which outstanding architects Bramante and Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked. And then our walk will continue in the magnificent St. Peter's Square: you will see the facades created by the architect Bernini, and also learn about the optical illusion effect that occurs if you stand at a certain point in the square.

Touching the Christian relics
St. Peter's Basilica houses several revered Christian relics: the relics of the holy apostle Peter and other teachers of the church, miraculous icons of the Most Holy Mother of God, a part of the life-giving Cross of the Lord brought by Queen Helena from Jerusalem. You will hear legends and real historical facts about these relics, get acquainted with their legends and mysteries.

Who Will Enjoy the Tour

This route will be interesting for Orthodox pilgrims and anyone interested in the history of Christianity.

• When visiting St. Peter's Basilica, it is necessary to adhere to the dress code (shoulders should be covered, pants and skirts should be below the knees).
• It is better to start the tour early in the morning (the basilica opens at 7:00 am) - this will help you avoid crowds of tourists and the exhausting Roman heat.
• If desired, the tour can be expanded by visiting other Roman basilicas, where revered Orthodox relics are also kept. The cost depends on the number of participants and the duration of the tour.

Basilicas we can additionally visit

• Basilica of Saint Praxedes from the 9th century with Byzantine mosaics in the apse and an ancient chapel. Here is kept a piece of the beam on which Christ was scourged, brought from Constantinople in the Middle Ages.
• Basilica of St. Peter in Chains with Michelangelo's famous work - the statue of Moses.
• Basilica of St. Clement, where the relics of the Slavic enlightener St. Cyril are located, with ancient frescoes and mosaics.
• And also the Basilica of St. Boniface and Alexis, the Church of the Mother of God, the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and other iconic churches of Rome.