Saint Peter's tomb Monument

Address: St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City

Website: http://www.vatican.va/

Hours: Basilica hours vary seasonally (approx. daily 7am-7pm) - check Vatican website

Admission: Free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica; paid guided tours and paid access to the Dome and Scavi (tomb/necropolis) apply

Saint Peter’s tomb is the burial locus beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City that has been venerated as the final resting place of the Apostle Peter since antiquity. Archaeological work beneath the basilica in the mid-20th century uncovered a first-century burial complex and a location traditionally identified with Peter, a point that shaped the basilica’s placement and significance.

The area of veneration lies immediately under the basilica’s high altar in the area called the Confessio; above this stands the 17th-century bronze baldachin by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Pilgrims and visitors may visit the basilica’s grottoes and, by special arrangement, the Scavi (Vatican necropolis) where the archaeological remains are displayed.

The site has been a focal point of Christian pilgrimage for many centuries and has repeatedly shaped papal liturgy and basilica architecture. The modern basilica and its liturgical centre were constructed during the Renaissance and Baroque periods with the tomb area preserved beneath.

The tomb and necropolis lie under St. Peter’s Basilica on Vatican Hill in the independent state of the Vatican City, at the heart of the basilica complex and directly beneath the high altar.

• Access to excavations: Mid-20th-century archaeological excavations beneath St. Peter’s Basilica uncovered a first-century burial complex that is venerated as the tomb of the Apostle Peter; access to the Scavi requires advance booking through the Vatican Excavations Office.

What to See#

• Vatican Necropolis (Scavi): The Vatican Necropolis, commonly called the Scavi, is the buried Roman burial area beneath St. Peter’s Basilica where excavations in the mid-20th century uncovered a complex of first-century tombs and structures.
• Confessio and Tomb Area: The Confessio and tomb area lie immediately beneath the basilica’s high altar and are the focal point of veneration, marked above by Bernini’s bronze baldachin in the basilica proper.

St. Peter’s tomb is inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City at St. Peter’s Square. From Rome Termini take Metro Line A (direction Battistini) to Ottaviano-Musei Vaticani; from Ottaviano the walk along Via Ottaviano and Borgo Pio to St. Peter’s Square is about 8-10 minutes (roughly 600-800 m). Once in the basilica follow signage to the high altar and the tomb beneath.

• If you want to see St. Peter's tomb beneath the basilica, book the Vatican Scavi (necropolis) guided tour well in advance through the Vatican Scavi Office - spaces are very limited and sell out weeks to months ahead.
• Prepare to present official ID when you attend the Scavi tour and arrive early at the meeting point inside the Vatican; the tours are guided, small, and have strict time and entry controls.
• Plan your visit to St. Peter's Basilica around the Scavi booking (before or after) because the Scavi tour has a fixed start time and you'll want time in the basilica without rushing.