Necropoli vaticana
Guided visit to the excavations beneath the Basilica of St Peter: a Roman necropolis with pagan and Christian tombs and the route to the tomb of Peter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Beneath the central nave of the Basilica of St Peter, about ten metres down, lies a Roman necropolis that developed alongside the circus of Caligula and Nero. It contains pagan and Christian burials dating from the 1st to the 4th century AD, largely of freedmen and their families.
Tradition places the burial of the apostle Peter in this area after his martyrdom. Around 160 AD the so-called Trophy of Gaius, a small memorial monument, was erected, and it became a place of pilgrimage. In the 4th century Constantine had the necropolis filled in to build the first basilica above the tomb, sparing the apostle’s sepulchre.
Archaeological excavations were carried out between 1939 and 1949, during the pontificate of Pius XII, at the wish of Pius XI to be buried in the Vatican Grottoes as close as possible to the tomb of Peter. Today the area is visited with a specialist guide, in small groups and by reservation only.
Highlights
- Roman mausoleums along the ancient road
- Pagan and Christian tombs from the 1st to 4th centuries
- Route to the tomb of St Peter
- Visit with a specialist guide
Permanent exhibition
- Necropoli vaticana – Guided route among Roman mausoleums and tombs under the central nave of the Basilica, up to the area linked to the burial of Peter.
- Operated by
- Fabbrica di San Pietro
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €20 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €14Young people aged 10 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €14Young people aged 10 to 17; admission only from age 10 |
The ticket includes the specialist guide. Payment is possible by credit card only; cash and bank transfers are not accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Temperature and humidity underground may vary; the visit is not recommended for people with physical conditions that could worsen, including claustrophobia. For accessibility information, write to accoglienza@fsp.va or call +39 06 6988 3462 or +39 06 6988 3731.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 10+
Admission is permitted only for visitors aged 10 and over.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| Good to know | The visit lasts about one hour and is guided, in groups of about 12 people divided by language; daily access is limited to around 250 visitors. Online booking is mandatory; tours are offered in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Romanian, Hungarian, Japanese and Italian Sign Language (LIS). Admission is permitted only from age 10. |
