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Vatican Grottoes tours

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Vatican Grottoes






From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
Stephanie Cordova
CA

Stephanie

Canada
Jul 2025
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Paulina was a star! In the heat and in the crowds she led our group through the Vatican museum, Sistine chapel and led us to St Peter's Basilica (where she did pre instruction as she cannot guide there. Our family learned a lot we would not know without the tour.
Kimberly Liberty
US

Kimberly

United States
Jul 2025
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Our guide Marta was very knowledgeable and nice. She was a great storyteller and gave great background throughout the tour in each area. The tour was good and I would recommend them. We had a very nice time on this tour and it went to all the spots we wanted. The description is accurate on what you get with the tour. I only have one suggestion - and that is during times with extreme crowds, it is important to ensure that all of the group is accounted for. My husband and I (and another girl we didn't know) were separated during the tour in a critical area to short cut into the Sistine Chapel. The group was given 15 minutes there, but because we were lost and took the long way, buy the time we got there, we were rushed and didn't get the time the rest of the group had. Please make sure to keep the group together. I do understand it is very hard because of the crowds, so this situation alone would not keep me from taking this tour with this tour group again as everything else in the tour was great.
Jennifer Lomas
US

Jennifer

United States
Jul 2025
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+2 more

We toured all the major areas and some of the gardens including the Sistine Chapel in about 3.5 hours. The flow through the Vatican was well thought out, some areas were more congested than others, but nothing unexpected or uncomfortable for such a popular destination.
Christine Carole White
US

Christine

United States
Jun 2025
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We had skip the line tickets so it was only 20 min wait. We saw the museum, had lunch in the garden and visited the Sistine Chapel.
Hunter Brabham
US

Hunter

United States
Jul 2025
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+2 more

As someone with no base knowledge besides that the Vatican is the home of Catholicism. This was a great way for me to learn about all of Vatican City and the history of it. I would have been wandering around aimlessly without my tour
Georg Allgaier
DE

Georg

Germany
Jul 2025
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The insight into the beautiful, otherwise inaccessible Vatican Gardens was a highlight of my trip to Rome and the museums are also extremely interesting. The only thing was that the tour could have lasted a little longer / gone a little slower / possibly with getting off at exciting places. Admission to the museum was also uncomplicated and quick, without long queues. A recommendation!
Sandra Cerri
IT

Sandra

Italy
Jul 2025
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+1 more

We purchased online tour of Vatican gardens +entrance Vatican Museums (without guide). Very nice staff who greeted us and guided us until we boarded the bus......tour very nice, they provided us with earphones for a recorded guide who showed us The beautiful gardens Exciting and unique the tour inside The Vatican Museums.Definitely the "highlight" was being able to skip the endless lines for entry...especially on these particularly hot days.Experience to be repeated for sure!
ABDEL AGUILAR
PA

Abdel

Panama
Jun 2025
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I really liked the cordiality of the guides and the simplicity of the tour, along with the information provided. We started a few minutes after the agreed time, but it was still excellent.

Top things to do in Rome

What are Vatican Grottoes?

Vatican Grottoes is a massive spread of papal tombs situated right below ​St. Peter’s Basilica. Aside from the many artifacts, this area is the final resting place of over 90 popes, royalty, and other dignitaries.

Every year, millions of tourists make their way to the tombs to pay their respects and get a close look at the papal tombs. We’ve put together a detailed guide to help you plan your visit to the Vatican Grottoes including its history, what’s inside, visitor tips, & more.

Why visit the Vatican Grottoes?

St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City skyline at sunset.

The Grottoes contain the tombs of over 90 popes, several monarchs, and other church dignitaries, dating back to the 10th century.

Key highlights include the marble statue of St. Peter Enthroned, the funerary monument of Calixtus III, the sepulcher of St. Peter, and remnants of the Old St. Peter’s Basilica.

Note: Your ticket to St.Peter’s Basilica/Vatican Museums includes access to Vatican Grottoes.

St.Peter’s Basilica/Vatican Museums Tickets

Plan your visit to Vatican Grottoes

Vatican Grottoes

Location

The Vatican Grottoes are located beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. You can access them through the main church by entering near the statues of St. Helen and St. Andrew and heading down towards the papal tombs.

Directions to St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican Grottoes

Timings

The Vatican Grottoes are open during the same hours as St. Peter’s Basilica:

7am to 7pm from April to September

7 am to 6pm from October to March.

Ensure you complete your visit at least half an hour before closing time.

St. Peter's Basilica Timings

Origin of Vatican Grottoes

Vatican Grottoes with visitors exploring historic tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

The Grottoes were established during the construction of the current St. Peter’s Basilica in the 17th century, built over the Old St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Necropolis, and Saint Peter’s tomb.

It took about 120 years to complete the Basilica, including the construction of the papal tombs and necropolis below the structure.

What’s inside the Grottoes?

St Peter's Grotto in Vatican City with intricate stone carvings and religious artifacts.

Clementine Chapel (Chapel of St. Peter)

Clementine Chapel is the precious gem of the Vatican Grottoes, holding the chest that protects the sepulcher of Peter the Apostle. It makes up the center of the peribolos and is the only part of the cathedral to maintain its original purpose and function. Just like back in the day, people of faith make their way to the chapel to pay their respects. It is believed that the head of St. Peter lay above the tomb towards the back of the monument. The chapel gets its name from Clement VIII, who modified the ancient chapel in 1592.

Visitors exploring the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.

Tomb of John Paul II (previous)

After the funeral of Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005, his first tomb was placed towards the north end of the Grottoes, less than 100 feet from the tomb of St. Peter. He was placed in the spot where Pope John XXII previously lay, until he was moved to the St. Jerome Altar on June 3, 2001. A few years later in 2011, John Paul II was declared blessed and moved under the Altar of St. Sebastian. His body was placed in a cypress coffin as part of three traditional coffins that lay together. The outermost zinc casket was encrypted with three bronze plaques and a cross and placed in a larger casket which was shut using nails made of pure gold.

St. Peter's Basilica exterior view in Vatican City with tourists exploring the square.

Chapel of the Madonna of Bocciata

The Chapel of Madonna of Bocciata is the oldest in the area around St. Peter’s sepulcher, commissioned by Gregory XIII in 1580. Inside the chapel is an elegant fresco painted by Pietro Cavallini, a renowned 14th-century artist. He called it the “Madonna della Bocciata” because Mary’s face is swollen in the painting. It is believed that a drunken soldier once threw a bowl at the image after losing a game, which made her face bleed.

Vatican Grottoes with visitors exploring historic tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

Icon of the Madonna Dolorosa & Reliefs of the Doctors of the Church

A massive depiction of the Holy Madonna is present in one corner of the Vatican Grottoes towards the south end. Here you can see Madonna painted in red and black clothes, slightly raising her arms, with an orange halo above her head. This image is surrounded by reliefs of the Doctors of the Church, preserved for many centuries.

Vatican Grottoes interior with ancient tombs and religious artifacts.

Archaeological Rooms of Vatican Grottoes

Although the Old St. Peter’s Basilica was gravely destroyed, some parts of it remain buried below the new cathedral. Paul V extended the Vatican Grottoes in the 16th century with parts of the old basilica placed on its walls. There are six Archeological Rooms in total containing tombs, frescoes, and other structures from the old cathedral.

Vatican Grottoes with visitors exploring historic tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

Funerary Monument of Calixtus III

A funerary monument of Pope Calixtus III lies at the south end of the grottoes, before the exit. Calixtus was the head of the Church and Papal States in the 14th century until his death. Although his remains were kept at Santa Maria in Monserrato, a funerary monument was built in his honor at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Grottoes interior with ancient tombs and religious artifacts.

Marble Statue of St. Peter Enthroned

The marble statue of St. Peter is a famous image throughout the world. Located right before the exit of the grottoes, the statue shows the apostle sitting with his arms crossed and his feet adorned with sandals. Almost everyone who visits the Vatican Grottoes is known to perform the gesture of kissing feet of the Apostle.

Vatican Grottoes with visitors exploring historic tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

Clementinian Peribolos

In between the Chapel with the Tomb of Pius XII and the Chapel of St. Veronica is the beautiful Clementinian Peribolos. The roof of the area is adorned with bright and colorful holy images that stretch along the corridor.

Visitors exploring the historic corridors inside Castel Sant Angelo, Rome.

Georgian Peribolos

The Georgian Peribolos, unlike the Clementinian one, is worn down with many parts of its walls having fallen off. However, the structure still holds strong even centuries later.

Who is buried in the Vatican Grottoes? 

Although not all popes are buried at the Vatican Grottoes, there are over 90 papal tombs inside. Some of them include:

  • Pius VI Braschi, who was captured by the French and died a prisoner in 1799
  • John Paul I Luciani, whose reign lasted for just 33 days
  • Adrian IV, the only English pope

The Grottoes are also home to people of historical significance such as:

  • The Stuarts, who were pretenders to the English throne and remained in exile since 1717
  • The famous emperor Otto II, who passed in Rome at the early age of 28. 
  • Czech Cardinal Josef Beran, who was arrested in Prague after having worked at the Dachau concentration camp. He went on to become the archbishop of Prague until he was imprisoned once again for being an opponent of communism. After his final release, he became a cardinal in 1965.

Map of the Vatican Grottoes

  1. Chapel with Tomb of Pius XII

  2. Chapel of St Veronica

  3. Clementinian Peribolos

  4. Chapel of St Helen

  5. Clementine Chapel (Chapel of St Peter)

  6. Gregorian Peribolos

  7. Chapel of the Madonna of Bocciata

  8. Opening onto the Archeological Remains of the Confessio (ex Chapel of Salvatorello)

  9. Irish Chapel of St Columbanus

  10. Chapel of the Madonna of Partorienti

  11. Southern Corridor of the Confessio

  12. The Confessio - Pallium Niche

  13. Northern Corridor of the Confessio

  14. Polish Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa

  15. Lithuanian Chapel of Mater Misericordiae

  1. Peribolos - Last Section

  2. Mexican Chapel of Our Lady of Guadeloupe

  3. Tomb of Pius VI

  4. Chapel of the Madonna between Peter and Paul

  5. Peribolos - First Section

  6. Chapel of the Patron Saints of Europe

  7. Chapel of St. Andrew (Grottoes Entrance)

  8. Opening in front of the Confessio

  9. Chapel of St Longinus

  10. Tomb of Pius XI

  11. Central Altar

  12. Tomb of John Paul II (previous)

  13. Tomb of Cardinal Merry del Val

  14. Tomb of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus

  15. Queen Christina of Sweden

  16. Tomb of the Stuarts

  1. Tomb of Cardinal Francesco Tedeschini

  2. Tomb of Benedict XV

  3. Tomb of Innocent IX

  4. Archeological Room VI

  5. Archeological Room V

  6. Archeological Room IV

  7. Tomb of Innocent XIII

  8. Tomb of John Paul I

  9. Tomb of Marcellus II

  10. Tomb of Urban VI

  11. Tomb of Paul VI

  12. Chapel of Our Lady, Queen of the Hungarians

  13. Entrance to Scavi from Piazza Braschi

  14. Archeological Room I

  15. Archeological Room II

  16. Archeological Room III

  17. Early Christian Sarcophagus

  18. Mosaic of John VII

  19. Gallery of Clement VIII

  20. Sarcophagus of Pius III

  1. Sarcophagus of Paul II

  2. Polyandrium under the floor

  3. Tomb of Hadrian IV

  4. Tomb of Innocent VII

  5. Tomb of Nicholas V

  6. Tomb of Monsignor Ludvig Kaas

  7. Tomb of Gregory V

  8. Tomb of Emperor Otto II

  9. Tomb of Julius III

  10. Statue of Pius VI

  11. Tomb of Nicholas III

  12. Tomb of Boniface VIII

  13. Icon of the Madonna Dolorosa and Reliefs of the Doctors of the Church

  14. Dividing wall of Paul III and the Remains of two Columns from the Old Basilica

  15. Funerary Monument of Calixtus III

  16. Marble Statue of St Peter Enthroned

  17. Exit from the Grottoes to the Patio

Visitor tips

  • The Grottoes are distinct from the ​Necropolis. Be sure to visit both.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Grottoes’ history for a more enriching experience.
  • The area around the tombs is quite spacious and light, so you don’t have to worry about being claustrophobic. 
  • Photography is strictly prohibited and all guests are required to maintain silence in the area.
  • Finish your tour of St. Peter’s Basilica before you head to the Grottoes to avoid waiting in line again.

Frequently asked questions about Vatican Grottoes

What are the Vatican Grottoes?

Under St. Peter’s Basilica is a massive papal burial ground (separate from the Vatican Necropolis) referred to as the Vatican Grottoes.

Are the Vatican Grottoes free to visit?

Yes. The papal tombs are free to visit during the opening hours of St. Peter’s Basilica.

How to visit the Vatican Grottoes?

You can plan your visit to the Vatican Grottoes as part of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is located below the cathedral, so make sure you head there towards the end of your tour.

Do I need separate entry tickets to Vatican Grottoes?

No. You do not need separate tickets to enter the Vatican Grottoes. Once you enter St. Peter’s Basilica, you can make your way below towards the papal tombs.

Is photography allowed in the Grottoes of the Vatican?

No. Photography is strictly prohibited at the Vatican Grottoes.

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