'Senorarroz obviously had no trouble at the Vatican Museum because it's a museum, not a church.'

Not so. The same dress code applies and is enforced at the Vatican Museums as St Peter's basilica. While VM are museums, they include entry to the Sistine Chapel, a chapel of the Apostolic Palace and an active place of worship. Of course they can just enforce the code for the chapel and not the rest of the museum complex, but they've decided to make the whole place subject to dress code. It's probably because often tour groups, and individual visitors, leave the complex through a side door in the Sistine Chapel which connects directly to St Peter's instead of walking all the way back to the main entrance.

When we went to Santa Maria Maggiore a few years ago, there were at least two people inside the entry way determining who could enter. Two people in our group of six were denied entry because they were wearing shorts. In Rome, I always carried a scarf to put around my shoulders. I also wore longer sleeveless dresses in a light material--I found them more comfortable and cooler than shorts or pants.

I would never wear shorts to go to Church here at home, so I wouldn't think of doing it abroad.

"personally, if I'd spent over an hour in the queue for the vatican museums, or booked an paid on-line, and then I couldn't got in cos I'd ignored advice about what to wear, I'd be a bit cross!"

With yourself, I hope, since the dress code is not a surprise. :) I have seen quite a number of tourists argue with the guards in Rome as if they should change the policy of the church to accommodate people who chose to dress as if they are going to the gym or the beach.

"Covering your knees or shoulders isn't out of respect, it's because you have to in Rome." It is not just in Rome and it most certainly is out of respect.

"I would never wear shorts to go to Church here at home, so I wouldn't think of doing it abroad."

I completely agree!

Many churches do not have guards at the door- but the expected attire is the same. Many churches will have locals inside while you visit and you may encounter glares or comments from them (especially from older ladies) who are there to worship - and feel that you are being disrepsctuful of their religion. (I have seen this in one curch in Rome and one n Venice. One elderly lady was very vociferous - and essentailly drove a pari of tourists in quite short shorts out with her comments.

I traveled with my sister in Italy 40 yrs ago. I have a great picture of her being stopped from going into St. Mark's in Venice because her shoulders weren't covered. Also in the picture was a girl who was wearing jeans and a t shirt. She was allowed in!

So when we got to Rome, sis wore a top with sleeves, even tho it was a very warm day in July. Of course, she wore a skirt that was just above her knees. She ignored my advice to hide in a group of nuns that was going into St. Peter's and was promptly plucked from the crowd and not allowed in.

Church attire varies from church to church in the US. For Easter, I attended a 'Cowboy Church'. Perhaps 20 men were wearing cowboy hats which were not removed during the service, and there was only one woman wearing an Easter bonnet.

At my usual church, it is not unusual for adults to wear shorts during the summer.

Italy is NOT the US. the rules are not the same.

And the person wearing jeans and tee shirt was covered - this is not a question of style it is one of modesty - not baring too many body parts.

If you think about respecting the spirit of the rule instead of getting around the strictness of it, all will be well.

"If you think about respecting the spirit of the rule instead of getting around the strictness of it, all will be well."

And that really sums it up perfectly.

Can you wear jeans to go to the Vatican/St. Peter's? I need to tell my sons what to pack and I want to make sure they bring the right long pants for entering churchs in Italy.

macdogmon asked: "Can you wear jeans to go to the Vatican/St. Peter's?"

Of course you can, provided they cover your shoulders.

I don't think they really have any kind of dress code apart from what you feel is respectful. I wore jeans and a T-shirt when I was there.

Yes, they do indeed, but the dress code is specific as to what needs to be covered, rather than a type of clothing.

<<Padraig on May 18, 10 at 5:11pm
macdogmon asked: "Can you wear jeans to go to the Vatican/St. Peter's?"

Of course you can, provided they cover your shoulders.>>

You wear jeans that cover your shoulders? That's a new take on high waisted pants... ;) Sorry, couldn't resist.


<<chasethesunset on May 18, 10 at 5:38pm
I don't think they really have any kind of dress code apart from what you feel is respectful. I wore jeans and a T-shirt when I was there.>>

That's actually incorrect, they do have a dress code and you will be turned away if you don't follow it. What one person feels is respectful doesn't really matter. You might wear a perfectly nice dress that stops just above the knee and be turned away. It's about covering skin, not so much about what you cover it with.


macdogmom, long pants are the right idea for your sons when visiting churches in Italy. Even if there aren't guards like at the Vatican it is considered more respectful by the locals. Jeans are perfectly fine, though depending on when you're going khakis might be cooler. If you're going to be out and about a lot they might want to look into zip off pants so that they can wear shorts most of the time and then simply add lower legs when they want to go inside a church or similar building.

What about footwear? Is it acceptable for men to wear flip-flops/sandals paired with chinos/khakis or is it more respectable to wear shoes when visiting churches?

The rule is that shoulders, midriff, and knees must be covered. No mention of toes.

Other than barefoot, which isn't allowed, any type of foorwear will be fine. Look at Franciscans wearing sandals and no socks!

The Catholic Church in Italy (as well as in many other countries) requires humility in front of the divine. This is the reason for the dress code. Please respect that, even if it causes inconveniences. Churches are places of worship, not museums.

Alec wrote: "Look at Franciscans wearing sandals and no socks!"

I have also seen Franciscans wearing sandals with socks. To many an American, that would seem quite inappropriate.

<<I have also seen Franciscans wearing sandals with socks. To many an American, that would seem quite inappropriate.>>

Inappropriate no. Funny and awkward looking, yes. What's the point of wearing sandals if you're going to wear socks??? :)

The old hippies in Santa Cruz wear socks with their Birkenstocks, too; but that is really getting off topic.