Vatican Museums St Peter Basilica Borgo District

The birth of museums comes at the beginning of 500 when Pope Julius II of the Rovere transferred in the Vatican the Laocoonte statue, enriched over the years by various popes with statues and goods found in Rome and Lazio, it became the milestone of the pilgrim’s destination and attraction of various artists who came from all over the world. The tour will start from the Vatican Museums passing through the halls of the popes then gradually to  discover the treasures of the Pontifical State,  to then admire the Last judgment of Michelangelo to then pass on to go to the heart of Christianity, St. Peter's Basilica, built in 1508 over the tomb of St. Peter, it actually hides the remains of the Basilica of the fourth century, the guide at the end of the visit will lead you in the old narrow streets flanking the ancient leonine walls built to defend the city of the Popes.

St. peter square was created between the Vatican hill and the Janiculum hill which in Roman times was occupied by the Circus of Nero, the Via Cornelia and a cemetery area called the Vatican Necropolis, where according to ancient tradition, the tomb of St. Peter was placed, first Pope
 
The guide at the end of the visit will lead you in the old narrow streets flanking the ancient leonine walls built to defend the city of the Popes. In 1657 after several projects studied with the Pope, the definitive project regarding a vast colonnade that embraced the pilgrim who entered the Vatican, the large square with a round ovate. The portico also responded to the liturgical need of the traditional Corpus Christi procession, led by the Pope through the nearby streets of the Borgo and protected by large canopies.
 
In addition, the height of the portico, without further constructions above, would not have prevented the people from seeing the palace residence of the Pope and from him to see them and bless them.The intervention of Pope Alexander VII Chigi was decisive.



Borgo District
Thanks to Pope Leo IV it was decided to protect the neighborhood near the basilica by building the walls which bear his name. On June 27, 852 the Pontiff, accompanied by the clergy and the people, began the construction by walking barefoot along the circuit of the future walls. Pope Leo had several noble families established in the Borgo, and from that moment, the neighborhood was no longer considered a part of the city, but a separate city, the Leonine City called the Civitas Leonina, with its own magistrates and governor.

What did we expect to see during the Borgo tour?
First of all, an important district with small streets and old buildings that belonged to riche families of Rome, including the best artists in vogue in the 500s, lots of small typical shops and lots of places for religious souvenirs and antiques, various Roman restaurants and cafes typical of the era.



 
Vatican City Tour Includes


1.     An Expert, English-speaking tour guide of the Vatican
2.     Favor entrance with our skip the line tickets
3.     Vatican and Museums
4.     Access to the Sistine Chapel
5.     Access to the St. Peter's Basilica
6.     Geographical maps Gallery
7.     Gallery of Tapestries
8.     Gallery of Candle Sticks
9.     the apartment of Saint Pious V
10.   St. Peter's Basilica
11.   St. Peter's Square
12.   Borgo district


 
Tour information

Not included: tickets, headsets.
Duration: 3 hours
Departure Point: Vatican Museums  
DR0P off Tour: Vatican square
Headsets: Vatican rule: mandatory headsets from 6 people up
SKIP THE LINE TICKETS: € 25,00 per person

 

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Rules

• Every Wednesday morning St. Peter's Basilica will be closed to the public due to the Papal Audience taking place in St. Peter’s Square.
•  inside the Basilica of San Pietro appropriate clothing is required; Knees, shoulders and back must be covered
•  St. Peter's Basilica is subject to occasional closures for religious ceremonies, in this case, we will provide guests with an extended tour of the Vatican Museums or an appropriate alternative, if it will be possible, we will inform you in advance. Due to increased security measures inside Vatican Museums site some lines may form during tours with "Skip the Line" or "No Waiting" access.