Highlights of St. Peter's
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Points of Interest

The Portico
The Portico is larger than many churches, and has many features: The Holy Door (far right), Giotto's Navicella (over exit to square), John XXIII's coat of arms (floor).

The Holy Door
The Holy Door (Porta Sancta), 1949, is opened every 25 years (last in 2000) by the pope.

The Filarete Door
Installed in 1445 by Filarete, this is one of the few items from the old basilica. Note the scenes of martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul at the bottom.

The Door of Death
The Door of Death is so called because it used to be the exit for funeral processions. Designed by Giacomo Manzł in 1964, who was a friend of Pope John XXIII.

Elevator to the Dome
Exit to the right of the portico to buy tickets for the Dome. The Elevator (stairs for the brave) takes you to the roof where you enter the base of the cupola. This area offers a spectacular view down into the basilica and provides the stairs (313) to the top of the dome. Returning to the roof you'll find a gift shop, coffee shop and a second elevator (or stairs) going down.

Statue of Constantine
The equestrian statue of Constantine, the builder of St. Peter's, shows the Emperor receiving the vision of the cross before his battle. This masterpiece by Bernini, unfortunately behind glass, is often overlooked.

The Pieta
Michelangelo's masterpiece was carved when he was 24, and installed before the Holy Year of 1500. The beauty of the Pieta shows the spiritual view of human suffering. Mary's youthful face contributes to the image of a mother who has lost her child. This was the only work Michelangelo ever signed.

Chapel of St. Sebastian
The mosaic altarpiece in the Chapel of St. Sebastian depicts his martyrdom. Under the altar lies the remains of Blessed Innocent XI (1676-1689).

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
This chapel, with a beautiful tabernacle and angels by Bernini, is only available for prayer. Often in the morning, you'll find mass being said here.

Altar of St. Jerome
Beneath the altar of St. Jerome is the body of Blessed Pope John XXIII, transferred here on June 4th, 2001.

Statue of St. Peter
The ancient statue (c. 1300) of St. Peter has toes worn down by the hands of centuries of pilgrims.

Statue of St. Longinus
One of the four large statues in the Crossing of St. Peter's, St. Longinus is the one carved by Bernini. Below the statue is a stairs often used to enter the grottoes (tombs of the popes).

Confessio
The word 'Confessio' refers to the Confession of faith by St. Peter which lead to his martyrdom. St. Peter's tomb is behind the Niche of the Pallium. The pallium is a band of white wool which the pope gives to each new archbishop. The bronze urn holding the pallium is often mistakenly thought to hold the bones of St. Peter.

Papal Altar and Baldicchino
Rising above the papal altar is Bernini's Baldacchino, his first work in the basilica. It took him nine years to make it, from 1624 to 1633. The papal altar, where only the Pope celebrates Mass, was consecrated by Clement VIII, June 5, 1594, on top of several other older altars.

The Right Transept
This are held the First Vatican Council in 1869. Today it is usually reserved for confession.

 

 

The Throne of Peter
The Apse of the basilica holds a grandiose sculpture monument, created to enclose a wooden throne, once thought to be that of the Apostle. The luminous alabaster window shows the Holy Spirit as a dove.

The Monument to Alexander VII
This monument by Bernini is one of the most popular in the basilica. The skeleton of Death rising from under the Sicilian jasper drapery provides a striking image.

Left Transept and Altar of St. Peter
This area holds the Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter, which is the spot nearest to where the Apostle was crucified.

Statue of St. Andrew
St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter. This statue is the location of one entrance to the grottoes (papal tombs).

Sacristy and Treasury
Under the Monument to Pius VIII is the entrance to the Sacristy and Treasury Museum (admission fee). Many precious objects donated to the Church are kept in the Treasury. At the entrance is a list of all the popes buried in St. Peter's.

Chapel of the Choir
This Chapel is where the Liturgy of the Hours are celebrated. The altarpiece mosaic commemorates the Definition of Mary's Immaculate Conception. (Dec. 8, 1854)

Presentation Chapel
The body of St. Pius X lies under the altar of the Presentation Chapel.

Exit from the Roof
An elevator (or stairs) provides an exit from the roof, bringing you back into the basilica.

Baptistery Chapel
The Baptistry Chapel, by Carlo Fontana, is still in use today. The superb gilded cover rests on a porphyry sarcophagus cover used by the Emperor Otto II, and believed to derive from the tomb of Emperor Hadrian (Castle San Angelo)

Under the Altar of St. Jerome is the resting site for the body of Bl. John XXIII. The ancient statue of St. Peter has toes worn down by the hands of centuries of pilgrims The St. Longinus statue has a stairs occasionally used to enter the grottoes The Right Transept is usually reserved for confession The Cathedra Petri (Throne of Peter) is a huge monument by Bernini, showing the Holy Spirit as a dove The Main Tribune (apse) holds St Peter's Throne The word 'Confessio' refers to the Confession of faith by St. Peter which lead to his martyrdom. St. Peter's tomb is behind the Niche of the Pallium Rising above the papal altar is Bernini's Baldacchino, his first work in the basilica The monument to Alexander VII by Bernini is one of the most popular in the basilica Daily masses are held in the Left Transept The Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter is the spot nearest to where the Apostle was crucified Entrance to the Sacristy and Treasury (entrance fee) is located here The St. Andrew statue is the location of one entrance to the grottoes The Blessed Sacrament, with a beautiful tabernacle by Bernini, is only for prayer. The central nave shows measurements of the largest churches in the world in brass letters on the floor. The Chapel of the Choir is where the Liturgy of the Hours are celebrated The body of St. Pius X lies under the altar of the Presentation Chapel Elevator from roof exits here The Baptistry Chapel, by Carlo Fontana, is still in use today. The superb gilded cover rests on a porphyry sarcophagus cover used by the Emperor Otto II, and believed to derive from the tomb of Emperor Hadrian (Castle San Angelo) The altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian depicts his martyrdom.  Under the altar lies the remains of Blessed Innocent XI (1676-1689).  The Door of Death is so called because it used to be the exit for funeral processions The Filarete Door, 1445, is one of the few items from the old basilica.  Note the scenes of martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul at the bottom The Holy Door (Porta Sancta), 1949, is opened every 25 years (last in 2000) Michelangelo's masterpiece, carved when he was 24 and installed before the Holy Year of 1500.  The beauty of the Pieta shows the spiritual view of human suffering. A kiosk sell tickets to the elevator (or take the steps) which goes to the roof of St. Peter's.  From inside the dome it's 313 steps to the top. A gift shop and coffee bar are on the roof. Bernini's equestrian statue of Constantine (first builder of St. Peter's) shows the Emperor receiving the vision of the cross The Portico is larger than many churches, and has many features: The Holy Door (far right), Giotto's Navicella (over exit to square), John XXIII's coat of arms (floor). Contact: stpetersbasilica@gmail.com