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Visit St. Peter’s Dome in the Vatican
“From the dome of St. Peter’s one can see every notable object in Rome… He can see a panorama that is varied, extensive, beautiful to the eye, and more illustrious in history than any other in Europe.” (Mark Twain, 1867)
By Roman law, no building in Rome can be higher than the top of the Dome at St. Peter’s Basilica. Join a guided tour of the incredible art and architecture in Rome and see the city from the summit of Michelangelo’s magnificent Dome, stretching to the blue Tyrrhenian Sea and green Castelli Romani hills. You also see views of the entire Vatican City and gardens.
Meet your guide, an art historian, on St. Peter’s Square and stroll across the piazza into the Vatican City, where your climb begins. There are 551 steep steps in total, which is a bit more than most wish to tackle on foot. We take the elevator part of the way up so that just 380 steps remain. Climb at a leisurely pace and enjoy the journey with frequent stops.
At the summit, take in the breathtaking 360° views of the Vatican City as it extends out into Rome and its seven hills. At this point, take as many photographs as you can because you are very high up and what you witness is a once-in-a-lifetime view. Easy does it on the way down to terra firma. Take a brief break before entering St. Peter’s Basilica, which is an absolute triumph of art and architecture that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. This is where Bernini’s sculptures and Michelangelo’s art rise above holy papal tombs and the perceived necropolis of St. Peter himself.
We regroup at our Vatican meeting point (11:30 am) for fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums, arguably the most important art collection in the world. Remain inside at your leisure to enjoy the Classical Antiquities Museums, Gallery of Maps, Round Room, Hellenistic art in the Belvedere Courtyard, and of course, the Sistine Chapel.