How, where and when can I get to the top of Saint Peter's Dome?
Apr 30th, 2007, 09:50 AM
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How, where and when can I get to the top of Saint Peter's Dome?
We have a 4 hour tour of the Vatican that starts at 1:30 on a Tuesday in June. Will we be able to go up in the dome after the tour? I did this years ago and it seems to me that we were racing to do it after our tour that ended around the same time. I cannot remember exactly where the enterance to the Dome is or where to by the tickets. I could not find any info on the Vatican's website. Please help. Thank you.
Apr 30th, 2007, 10:08 AM
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Go to www.stpetersbasilica.org/
Click-on 'Tourist Info' and then 'Climbing the Cupola'.
It says it closes 1hr before the Basilica which closes at 7PM. Regards, Walter
Click-on 'Tourist Info' and then 'Climbing the Cupola'.
It says it closes 1hr before the Basilica which closes at 7PM. Regards, Walter
Apr 30th, 2007, 12:34 PM
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After your Vatican tour, do not leave St. Peter's (i.e. don't go past the Swiss guards). If you do that, you'll have to go through the metal detector again, and the line can be very long. The lines to climb the dome are very near the lines to go down to see the Popes' tombs (not the Scavit tour). They are on the same side as the gift shop....to the left as you are looking out the front of St. Peters. You buy your tickets right before you go up.
Apr 30th, 2007, 05:07 PM
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Realize it is a long climb - and since the dome is curved (naturally) you need to sort of lean over as you near the top. And to get to the outside you need to climb a circular set of worn stone steps with a rope in the middle as a handrail.
It was fine for us but some of the older folks had trouble - although many of the local women were tripping up and down the steps easily in their tight skirts and high-heeled pumps. I guess it's what you're used to.
It was fine for us but some of the older folks had trouble - although many of the local women were tripping up and down the steps easily in their tight skirts and high-heeled pumps. I guess it's what you're used to.
