"Climbing to the top of the dome of St. Peter's" Basilica di San Pietro - Saint Peter Basilica Tip by brendareed

If you are in the mood for some exercise coupled with magnificent views of Rome, then consider climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica! Hubby and I seem to be climbing lots of things since we’ve been in Europe – cathedral bell towers, domes, castle towers - really anything that has steps finds us going up them (I’m not always the willing participant in these at the beginning, but at the end I’m always happy I did the climb!).

You have two options with the dome climb – you can take the steps all the way up from the ground level (537 steps) or you can take the elevator part of the way up and then climb the remaining 300+ steps. Using the elevator costs €7 (2012 prices) while taking the steps all the way saves you €2 for the bargain price of €5 (and your thighs get a better workout for less!).

Once you are through security for the church and walking towards the building, it is decision time: to enter the church or climb the dome?? If you plan to climb the dome – do it first! If you exit the church and decide to climb the dome, you may have to go through security again. So as you approach the church, and before the stairs, you will see signs directing you towards the dome climb – turn there for the climb or continue up the stairs for the church.

You will find a cashier at the end of the pathway and the guard will direct you to either the elevators or the steps. Really, taking the steps all the way up was not a problem since the first 200 steps are very easy – they are not steep and are rather wide. At the mid-way point, where the elevator people meet up with you is where the steps get more compact, a bit claustrophobic, narrow and steep – the reason is because the first part was simply going up the side of the church; at this point you actually begin to climb the dome itself.

From this point, you enter the base of the dome and are actually inside St. Peter’s looking down on the people below. Notice the mosaics on the walls and the size of the pictures that are a bit distorted so that those on the ground can view them properly. After walking part way around the base of the dome, you head through a doorway on your way up to the top. In places it gets very narrow and you actually walk a bit tilted because the ceiling is tilting inwards due to the curvature of the dome.

Note: If you are slow or taking your time, step aside when you have opportunities (at windows, etc.) to allow those behind you to pass. Because there is only room for one person at a time, if you are stuck behind really slow people, it is not as enjoyable; so please be considerate.

Once you reach the top, you come out on the lantern at the top. From there you can walk completely around the top view all of Rome, looking down on St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museum. After having your fill of the views, find the staircase down and begin your descent (which goes much faster than going up!). You reach that same halfway stop and can go out almost to the edge of St. Peter’s façade, looking at the backs of the statues. From here there are bathrooms and a nice photo opportunity of the dome. I saw some people having lunch while taking a break here.

Continue down the steps and back into St. Peter’s, next to the Baptistry. If you are planning to tour the church now, I highly suggest you proceed to the back and enjoy the church from that area as a starting point.

We were so fortunate to have a beautiful day when we climbed the dome – it was absolutely wonderful! And the exercise made that pizza at lunch taste so much better!

Directions: Once you go through security to St. Peter's Basilica, follow the signs to the dome climb before you enter the church