scavi in Rome
 

We have the opportunity to get tickets to the excavation while we are in Rome. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it. How long does the tour take? Any comments welcome! Thanks!

Hi, Campfire,

The Scavi tour was the highlight of my visit to Rome a few years back. I have recommended it to everyone I meet who is planning to go to Rome, and it becomes the highlight of their trip too. I believe the tour lasts about an hour, and it definitely should not be missed.

For more info, check out:
http://www.twenj.com/romevatican.htm#necropolis

Have a great trip.

John H

Hi Campfire,

I am desperately trying to get tickets to the Scavi tour for our May trip. I have sent 2 e-mails already and still no reply.

How were you able to get the tickets? Thanks.

The scavi are definitely a don't-miss. We learned of them by accident on our first trip to Rome and were absolutely blown away by the many chambers with tombs and carvings. Looking from the outside into the small room beneath St. Peter's where the saint himself is said to be buried is spine-tingling.

Myps,

I recently booked Scavi tour tickets via e-mail for our June trip. Below is their full contact info, which was at the bottom of their return e-mail confirming our tour day and time:

Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano
Ufficio Scavi
Orario Ufficio, Office Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Chiuso Domeniche e Festivi vaticani
Closed Sunday and Vatican Holidays
tel: +06 698 85318
Fax: +39 06 698 73017
Fax + 39 06 698 85518
E-Mail: [email protected]

It sometimes takes a few days before they get back to you.

Good luck!

Jen

Jen88,

Thanks again for the information. I resent again and I finally received an autoreply. Hope the next response is YES!!

"I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it."

Well, keep trying, dear. There's always hope (at least for some people).

Many people think there's no such thing as a dumb question but this one surely challenges that notion. The question is sort of like asking, "We'll be in Rome and have the opportunity to see the Colosseum, is it worth it?"

The Vatican Necropolis is probably one of Rome's most significant and important archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century if not well beyond. The fact that you need to jump through hoops and endure a frustrating reservation/approval system to visit this site should indicate some kind of "special," highly-protected experience.

But, then again, if history, religion, and archeology is not your thing, I guess the Vatican Necropolis is just another whole in the ground.

Here's our dilemma -- we want to do the Scavi tour but our son is 14 and will turn 15 one week after we're in Rome. Supposedly they don't allow anyone under 15 on the tour. Should we chance it?

Well, I answered my own question:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/in...040112_en.html

I thought you'd have no problem, sera, and you beat me to it. Gotta just love this Al Gore invention.

I was also going to tell you that Ed & Julie's website needs updating, badly.

Ooops, just noticed...I meant hole. Time for a nap.

Thanks for all your responses! I am really looking forward to it now!

The scavi tour under St. Peter's is incredible! However, if you suffer from claustrophobia you might find it hard. Also, it can get cold down there so I would advise bringing a sweater. As others have said, it was the highlight of our trip to Rome.