Opinions/Experiences with the Scavi Tour
 

We have reservations for the end of the month to the Scavi tour. We have two teenage children. I first heard of it on this site, but now I'm doing a search a cannot find the same threads. How long does the tour last, what is it like? Any info would be great!

I went on the tour in the summer of 2000. At that time, our tour went from 1 pm. until 2:50 pm., so it was almost two hours. Recent reports have said that a portion of the tour (graffiti wall) is no longer shown and the tour takes only 1 hour. I would plan on an hour to an hour and a half because if you get a good, detailed guide, and if your group asks a lot of questions, the tour can last longer.

Our guide was a young seminarian from Wisconsin. He was extremely knowlegeable about ancient Rome and pagan and early Christian burial practices as well as architecture and Church history. Before we went down to the excavations, he spent almost 20 minutes explaining these things to us in front of a model of the early Basilica and necropolis so we could understand the layout. Our group consisted of my husband and me and a family of four with a 15 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. Unfortunately, the girl was claustrophobic to such an extent that she hyperventilated while in the excavations and held up the group until she could (barely) get a hold of herself. Her extremely bored brother volunteered to bring her up to the top but the guide would not allow them to go through the excavations unaccompanied. This is one of the reasons the Scavi do not recommend the tour for children under the age of 15. The excavations themselves are not all that confining; it's more like walking around someone's basement, and they are well lighted and people are down there restoring the necropolis. I'm sure that in the three years that have elapsed since I took the tour, even more work has been done and it is an amazing sight. The tour winds up in the Vatican Grottoes, where the recent Popes are buried.

We took the Scavi tour last week (with two teens, and there were several other teens on the tour). It took about one hour and was totally fascinating.

They are very strict about arriving on time; when the bells tolled three, we were on our way. Prior to checking in with the Scavi office (on the left of St Peter's, as you face it) with your reservation, check ALL your bags (including purses, etc) on the RIGHT side of St Peter's, outside next to the steps. They will not allow any packages at all on this tour. Also, you need to pay with cash (no credit cards accepted).

(It was also nice and cool down there!Rome has been very hot!!!)

Thank you so much for the info. - We have confirmed reservations and are looking forward to the tour!

Hi, Meg!

Glad to see that you are going on the Scavi tour. My wife & I went on it 2 yrs ago & it's just an awesome experience. When you come up from underground you should be coming up into the church itself. After being somewhat claustrophobic and then walking into the expanse of St. Peter's is just incredible!!

If you want our trip report from Rome, just email me at: [email protected]

Have fun planning!

Bob

Allow a little time before your appointment to get through the security line by St. Peter's. I don't know if they are still scanning people with hand scans. They were the day of our visit and if the line is long, it will take a few minutes to get through.
They are very strict about being there on time.
They do not allow more than ten people one one tour as the space is cramped in some places.
We thought the tour was wonderful, but it was not as long as most as the regular guide was not available that day and the substiture priest was unhappy that he had to take us on his lunch hour. It was still worth it.
I would go again.

They are getting very strict about everyone on the tour being over 15 years old. I don't know how old your children are but I would hate for you to get there and not be able to go. My husband and I have yet to go but are planning on it soon

To SHER:

Were you there on June 26?

We also had a grumpy priest who sacrificed his lunch hour and was a bit impatient..Nonetheless, it was a great tour.