St. Peter’s Basilica and Dome Guided Tour in Vatican City – Lazio, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

A wonderful journey into the heart of Christianity: St Peter’s Basilica and its majestic dome are the very embodiement of faith, a wonderful monument that welcomes thousands of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world every year. The guided tour that we propose will take you inside the the Basilica and up to the top of the Dome: together with one of our guides – all specialised and accredited by the Vatican City – you will discover the priceless treasures hidden inside.

Molded upon the remains of the original Basilica built by the will of emperor Constantine, St Peter’s is the product of the joint efforts by artists who have shaped the history of art: Michelangelo, Bramante and Bernini for nearly 200 years contributed to the creation of the world admired Basilica. With its perfect architectural balance and ageless harmony, St Peter’s Basilica is like a preciuos chest, preserving extraordinary elements of history, culture and above all art.

Among the marvellous works of art preserved inside, you will admire the famous Pietà by Michelangelo, a true hymn to beauty and perfection that Buonarroti sculpted when he was only twenty-four years old and the sole of his statues to bear the artist’s signature. You will admire Bernini’s famous bronze canopy, commissioned by Pope Urban VIII Barberini, with its unique and gigantic twisted columns, between whose tendrils rest the Barberini bees, symbol of the family itself.

Bernini is also the author of the marble basement of the canopy, displaying the face of a woman during the various phases of labor, from the beginning of contractions to childbirth; a highly original homage to the Mater Ecclesia (the Mother Church of all other Churches). After about 3 hrs.of tour inside the Basilica, your guide will take you to the parvis to tell you the story of Bernini’s colonnade and talk about the fountains, the Vatican Obelisk, the Wind Rose and show you the famous Heart of Nero.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Radio transmitters with disposable earphones to listen to the guide
Exclusive, licensed and certified guide
Groups of maximum 20 people

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