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St. Peter's Basilica Question

Posted by (Madison, WI) on

Hi RS friends. Has anyone gone to the top of St. Peter's Basilica for the view of St. Peter's Square? I'm going to Italy in April and am not clear about going to the top of the dome.

I'm ready to purchase one of the early-entry Vatican tours with Walks of Italy:
- Pristine Sistine: https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour
- Early Entry Express: https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/sistine-chapel-tickets-express-tour

The descriptions for these tours don't mention going to the top of the dome, though.

I do see that Walks of Italy has a dome-only tour:
- Basicilica Dome Tour: https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/st-peters-basilica-tour-dome-crypts

Can I go to the top of the dome without booking the extra dome-only tour? Once the Pristine Sistine or Early Entry Express tour ends, can I just stick around inside the basilica and find stairs/elevator to go to the top? Or is the dome a totally separate situation requiring a different ticket?

Thanks!

Posted by
11613 posts

I don't know about tours and tickets for the dome, but you can take an elevator to the roof and be nearly as happy with the view from there.

I last climbed the dome many years ago, I understand that the last segment still has a hanging rope to hold onto.

Posted by
1175 posts

This is a must do !

After you go through security check, there is a sign directing you to the far right of the portico - past the Holy Door. There is a kiosk for the elevator. One can take the elevator to the roof level or you can walk up 320 steps.

This puts you at the top of the dome overlooking the altar in the inside of the church. You get to see that the images around the dome are created with mosaics !

The climb to the very top to overlook St. Peter's Square is another 231 steps through a very narrow and angled passageway - but there is fresh air from the outside coming through slits that are positioned periodically as you proceed up the stairs.

The views are spectacular when you emerge from the tiny space !

The elevator is 8 euros and the stairs are 6 euros.

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