Check at the Information Desk near the Post Office on the left of the basilica for the free guided tour schedule. These one hour tours are conducted by seminarians from the N.A.C. or the English Guides to St. Peter's, and depart around 2:15PM. Finally, many tour companies in Rome offer free tours of the basilica, some of which meet around 10:00AM at the obelisk. After the free tour, these guides will invite you to their pay tour of the Vatican Museum.*
Note PLEASE that St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum have different dress and conduct codes. Vatican Dress CodeSt Peter's Basilica - Be aware that Vatican dress code requires no shorts or tank tops and women must have their shoulders covered and is strictly enforced - applies to women AND men. Men will not be admitted with shorts. Even if you somehow get through security, you will be turned away by attendants at the door.Women - it is good to carry a light scarf/shawl in your purse for impromptu visits to churches.Code of conduct - the Basilica is a church - you are encouraged to view and enjoy the art works. You are asked to refrain from general conversation in the normal voice - please speak softly - please do not eat your snacks here (this is not a picnic area) - flash cameras ARE welcome inside St. Peter's Basilica. There is a chapel on the right aisle that is for worship and...
Getting to St. Peter's BasilicaBy Subway - Take Linea A (red line) toward Battistini and exit at Ottaviano-S. Pietro. Walk south on Via Ottaviano toward St. Peter's Square. By Walking - From the city center, the most direct route is to cross the Tiber and walk straight up Via Conciliazioni - this is my favorite route. Another interesting route is to go under the Passetto arch near Castel S. Angelo and walk up Pio Borgo, providing a dramatic entrance from the right (north) side of the Piazza - close to the entrance to City Vaticano.*
The Information Office is on the left (south) side wing of St. Peter's, often called the Charlemagne Wing. This area is accessed by several doors and has a Post Office on the far (west) end and the information desk on the near (east) end. This is a good spot to ask about the free tours of St. Peter's and to exchange money.*
Wheelchairs can be reserved in advance (fax 06.6988.5433) or upon request at the “Special Permits” window in the entrance hall. Routes and toilettes for disabled visitors are also available. In addition, you will not stand in the que - you will approach the officials at the entrance and tell them of your disability reservation - you will be promptly admitted.Once inside the Museum, you will find good access to various levels - see photo 1 - there was no ramp here and the Museum installed a wheelchair lift with an attendant there to assist you, which makes the St Paul rooms accessible.Visits for visually impaired visitors can be reserved in advance (fax 06.6988.1573)Additional information re tours on another tip.
Via della Conciliazione is practically the main gate to the Vatican City. It is wide street, open for the traffic, connecting the banks of the river Tiber and the Piazza San Pietro. On both side of the streets we find kind of rigid buildings which strengthen the impression of the holy place to which pilgrims are approaching.
OUR TRIP TO THE VATICAN WAS EVERYTHING VIRTUAL MEMBERS DESCRIBED. COBBLE STONES ARE NOT UNCOMMON, AND THE RAMPS ON THE SIDEWALKS ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS. IT WAS A BIT DANGEROUS, BUT MOST OF THE TIME, I HAD TO USE THE STREET, BECAUSE THE SIDEWALKS WERE TO NARROW FOR THE WHEELCHAIR. AT THE VATICAN, WE HAD A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE; THE SECURITY GUARDS WERE NOT VERY ACCOMODATING TO THE ELDERLY OR HANDICAPPED, UNTIL SOME LADY (WHOM I'D LIKE TO THANK) CAME UP TO US AND OPENED WAY AND TOOK US TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. THE EXIT RAMP FROM THE VATICAN, WAS CLOSED, AND SO I HAD TO ASK MY MOM TO GET OFF THE WHEELCHAIR, CARRY THE CHAIR DOWN, AND RUN THE RISK OF HER FALLING DOWN THE STAIRS. THE GUARDS WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I ALSO HAVE TO THANK A COUPLE OF GUYS WHO SAW ME STRUGGLING AND OFFERED THEIR HELP WITH THE W/C SO I COULD TAKE CARE OF MY MOM. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO PURCHASING STAMPS AT THE...
My grandson's friend, who didn't know anything about the Pope because (as his mother explained) they weren't Catholic, DID recognize the Swiss guards in our pictures. He isn't the only one. The great Latin historian, Tacitus, had said: "The Helvetians are a people of warriors, famous for the valour of their soldiers." [The official name of Switzerland is Confoederatio Helvetica which is Latin]Inside the Vatican walls (photo 4), the Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera) are posted to provide security. The guards, who swear an oath of allegiance to the pope wear very colorful archaic uniforms. In 1505, the soldiers wore simple tunics - the present uniforms date back to 1548. The story that they were designed by Michaelangelo is probably false. The Pontifical Swiss Guards is also the smallest and oldest standing army in the world. There are many guards in the Vatican and...
Located in the Vatican Museum is this wonderful staircase. This was our point of departure after our visit. Oh, one more thing, at the bottom of the stairs is a Vatican post office. Remeber to purchase the Vatican stamps and have your postcards postmarked here.
The largest, most famous and magnificant basilica in the world. Within it lie works of art (including Michaelangelo's 'Pieta') covering almost 2000 years of history. The Basilica was originally built where the Apostle Peter was believed to have been buried. The current Basilica was inaugurated in 1626 and only later the square in front was planned and completed with its colonnade by Berini.
Reviews and photos of Vatican City attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Vatican City sightseeing.
Q: How I can book tickets for the visit of Vatican Gardens in minibus and than museums of Vatican? In thw website I find the Vatican...
A: The only thing I can find for the gardens that mentions a minivan - and it isn't even very definite - is this...
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