Duration
2 hours
Age
0+
Group size
1-2
Transport
On foot
Language
English
About this experience
St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is a symbol of the Eternal City and Christianity. Thousands of tourists, pilgrims, and believers visit it daily. I invite you to walk through the square, peek inside, immerse yourself in centuries-old history, admire priceless works of art, and discover little-known facts.
What to Expect
- The Vatican Obelisk, brought to Rome by Caligula in 37 AD. I will tell you what adorned the obelisk in Rome and who supervised its relocation to the center of St. Peter's Square in the 16th century.
- Bernini's Colonnade. Many find it resembling embracing arms. You will learn how many statues of saints are placed on its top and what role the colonnade plays today.
- Fountains, created at different times and by different masters, yet they look almost identical. You will hear when the first fountain was built and why it took over a century for the second one to appear. And you will understand the meaning of their decor.
- The facade of the basilica - the work of architect Carlo Maderno. You will see statues of apostles and Christ and the balcony where the new Pope appears after election.
- The Papal Altar, crowned with Bernini's magnificent baldachin. Beneath the baldachin lies the tomb of Saint Peter. I will tell you how the funerary monument was found and where Peter met his martyrdom. And you will appreciate the ease of form in working with hard materials - it seems that the bronze fringe is fluttering in the wind.
And that's not all!
Organizational Details
After the tour, you can independently climb the dome, visit the Treasury Museum of St. Peter's or the Vatican Museums.
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