Hi,
my husband and I will be in Rome early February and just got confirmation of our Scavi Tour request. We plan to arrive at St Peters right as it opens at 7 then climb the dome at 8 prior to our 9:15 scavi tour.
My questions: will an hour be enough time to climb the dome (we are fit) and get to our 9:15 tour AND, where do go to get tickets to climb the dome? I am aware you can only buy dome tickets at the site but cannot find any information as to the ticket office.
You MIGHT make it without problems, but I personally would want more of a time margin. Could you, perhaps, do the dome climb after your Scavi tour?
You might be able to go up at an incredible speed, if no one else is there, but there is also the chance you could get stuck behind several people who do not move as quickly as you would. There are little places one can pass (awkwardly, as someone leans into a window alcove (if I am remembering correctly), but the closer to get to the top, the more narrow and leaning the stairway gets.
I remember buying our dome tickets on on the spot, but I do not remember if there are set times (or limits on the number of tickets for any certain time)...it has been several years since we did it. It was not difficult to find where the tickets are sold, as I recall....inside St.Peters, if I am remembering correctly.
The very last part of the climb is interesting....hold on to a rope the last few steps. The view from the top is incredible, so allow time to enjoy and take photos. And, it can get crowded by the dome exits...you will want to work around the circle a bit to get a bit more elbow space (from other people) for clearer views. But, in February, maybe the crowds will be lighter, one could hope. The statues that look somewhat small, are huge when you are up next to them. Also notice the candle holders (the spikes you will see on the top of the dome) and try to imagine some dear soul hanging from a rope to manually light the candles, back in the years many past. You will also want some time to look down from the balcony terrace (here is an official name for it that I cannot recall) inside the church. Then also look up toward the inside of the dome area. Take time to enjoy the view(s) while you are up high outside and inside.
