Does anyone know how strict the officials are about the age limit of 15 for the Scavi Tour? Do they ask to see a passport?

Children between 11 and 15 are allowed on the tour if accompanied by a parent or guardian. No proof of age is required. Children under 11 are not permitted on the tour but I'm not sure what would happen if you have a 10 year old that you are trying to pass off as 11.

I asked this question several months ago (my kids are 15, 13 and 10). After reading the answers and considering it myself, I came to the conclusion that my younger kids probably would not enjoy the tour very much, so we aren't doing it.

What is the Scavi Tour?

The Scavi tour is a tour of the old Roman necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where St. Peter's tomb is said to have been found.

The information on the Vatican's Web site still says "11 to 15 years old accompanied by parent or guardian" but I have read in another travel forum that the confirmations that are now being sent out by the Ufficio Scavi state "no one under 15".

Thanks so much for the feedback. We have a 10 year old - almost 11 ( she loves scary things ). Our confirmation stated that all tour members had to be 15 or older - No Exceptions - so I didn't know if we should chance it or not. Hmmmmmm?

If she were 14 going on 15, I would perhaps chance it, but I don't think it would be wise to turn up with a child of 10 going on 11 - unless there is someone in the party who is prepared to renounce the Scavi tour in order to stay with your daughter.

If your child enjoys scary things, she would be disappointed in the Scavi Tour. It's not scary at all. While most adults find it interesting, I doubt even the most advanced, sophisticated 10 year old would enjoy the 90 minutes of Ancient Roman/Early Chrisitan burial practices, architecture and Vatican politics that are discussed on the tour. For scary, take her to the Capuchin Crypt and also see my travel note, "Chills and Thrills in the Eternal City" on the Slowtrav.com site.

We took my 11-year-old in Dec. and had no problem with him getting in. The first part of the tour was a bit dry for him, but he loved seeing Peter's bones and Pope John Paul's grave.

My wife and I went on the Scavi Tour on our last trip to Rome. Neither of us enjoyed the tour and found it touristy. Perhaps it was just the guide we had but we did not get much feedback from the guide or explanations of what we were seeing. I definitely agree with Grinisa about the Capuchin Crypts. I found them to be morbidly fascinating. Technically, you are not allowed to take pictures of the Capuchin crypts but I have it from a reliable source, my wife, that if you cough while snapping a picture it covers up the camera drive motor. There are postcards available out front with a monk collecting money in a basket. I left the equivalent of the cost of the postcards in the basket for each picture I took. The pictures that you see online or will take just cannot explain the crypts. As the person next to us, also taking pictures, said, "How do you explain this to someone?" The crypts are located at the Santa Maria della Concezione Via Veneto at Piazza Barberini.

Thank you once more for the feedback. I think we'll steer clear of the tour this time around ( someone else had said to me, if you've seen most of the major sites in Rome - this tour is a great addition to things already seen. If you're just getting around for the 1st time - which we are w/ our girls - then save this for another visit). My DH is an Architect and tho the two of us would likely enjoy the tour, I'm thinking the four of us, together, would enjoy the Capuchin Crypts more. Another question, if you only had one afternoon w/ time to see either the Crypts or the Borghese Gallery (w/ the 10 and 15 year olds), which do you think would be the better choice? Appreciate it!

The Capuchin Crypts don't take that long to see and are more of a novelty. It is across from the Hard Rock Cafe and possibly the kids would enjoy stopping in there for an American cola with ice. I myself enjoyed the scavi tour, but we took it several years ago. The Borghese Museum is worthwhile, but probably more for adults unless you have children with a serious art interest.

Before you hike off to the Capuchin crypt, make sure that it is open.

I recall reading a message here that it had been closed to the public due to vandalism.

Unless things have recently changed I believe the crypts re-opened to the public in March 2005.