Buildings

St Peter's Basilica

Vatican City

St Peter's Basilica
Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The largest church in the world and the centre of the Catholic Church, built over the tomb of St Peter. Inside are Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's bronze canopy, and the dome designed by Michelangelo, which you can climb for a view over St Peter's Square and Rome.


Entry is free, but queues for the security check are long; go early. Dress modestly. The Pope holds a general audience most Wednesday mornings; tickets are free but must be requested.

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Historic sites

St Peter's Square

Bernini's vast oval square in front of St Peter's Basilica, embraced by curving colonnades of 284 columns, with an Egyptian obelisk in the centre.

Attractions

Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

One of the world's greatest art collections, built up by the popes, with classical sculpture, the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and, at the end…

Natural features

Vatican Gardens

Formal gardens, woods and fountains covering about half of Vatican City, behind St Peter's, with grottoes, statues and views of the dome.