Hidden beneath the treasured Basilica of St. Peter is the ancient city of the dead called the Vatican Necropolis. Excavations in the 1940s unearthed the remains of mausoleums, tombs, and even what is believed to be the grave of St. Peter himself.
Inside the necropolis, you will find the 1st century Pagan burial site with small tombs made of clay and stone. Above this is a 5th century Pagan and Christian burial ground with many stone mausoleums and other ruins including a piece of a large arch.
Between the two levels is a small mount with a hole dug into it, a spot believed to contain the bones of St. Peter, as well as the rock upon which the original basilica was first constructed.
The origins of the Vatican Necropolis are believed to date back to the time of the Etruscans buried the dead beyond the city walls. During this period, the law required bodies of the deceased to be buried outside of the urban area. This means that during its inception, this area was technically not a part of the city. They built a necropolis on a nearby bill called the Viaticum. The “city of the dead,” as its name suggests, primarily served as Pagan and Christian burial grounds, which were open-air sites.
After the Etruscan civilization fell to the Romans, the Vatican territory became part of the city of Rome. Emperor Caligula built a circus adjacent to the necropolis. The circus was used by Romans for horse races and games, as well as Christian martyrdom. A huge Egyptian obelisk was raised in the center of the circus, which stands today at St. Peter's Square.
According to tradition, the Apostle Peter was crucified by Emporer Nero between 64 or 67 AD in the Circus. It is believed, thanks to the necropolis' proximity to the Circus of Nero, that St. Peter is buried here. After the Edict of Milan in the year 313, Emperor Constantine began the construction of a commemorative basilica, that has come to be known as the Old St. Peter's Basilica. The basilica was located just above the supposed grave of the Apostle Peter. Emperor Constantine I excavated part of the necropolis to create enough flat land for the foundation of the church. As a result, the necropolis was filled with soil and building debris.
Ancient tradition holds that the Apostle Peter was declared a martyr in the year 64 or 67, during the reign of Emperor Nero. It is believed that Peter was buried in the necropolis since it was close to the Circus of Nero - where he was martyred. Inside the necropolis is a small area named with the letter P, which archaeologists regard as the original burial site of the apostle. About a hundred years after the death of Peter, a shrine was constructed over his grave. The shrine is located adjacent to the Red Wall of the necropolis.
The last visit starts at 3:30 PM (From April to September the last visit starts at 4.15 PM)
Closed: All Sundays and Vatican Holidays.
St. Peter's Basilica TimingsRequests to visit the Vatican Necropolis should be sent to the Excavations Office. If the person submitting the request is not the actual visitor, the visitor's name and e-mail address should be submitted along with the form.
The requests should be submitted in written form by faxing the form to 39 06 69873017, or by visiting the Excavations Office in person. The exact number of participants, names of participants, the language of the guide, possible dates that you would like to visit, and E-mail address, or fax number, or a complete postal address should also be provided.
Or, you can skip the hassle and book a guided tour ticket to the Necropolis.
A. C Polilius Heracla
B. Tomb of Fannia Redempta
C. L Tullius Zethus
D. Opus Reticulatum
E. Aelii
F. The First Tomb of the Caetennii
G. Teacher
H. Tomb of the Valerii
I. Chariot
L. Caetennia Higia
M. Cristo Sole
N. Aebutii
O. Matucci
P. Field P
- Red Wall
- Shrine of St Peter (Trophy of Gaius)
- Graffiti Wall G (Bones of St Peter)
Q. Area for inhumation
R. Tomb R
S. Tomb S
T. Traebellena Flaccilla
U. Lucifer
V. Tomb V
Z. Tomb of the Egyptians
X. Mausoleum Chi
Φ. Marci
Ψ. Mausoleum Psi
A. Yes, you can visit the Vatican Necropolis and explore what’s inside.
A. You can book tickets to the Vatican Necropolis directly with the Scavi office.
A. Yes, the Scavi institution provides a licensed guide to accompany visitors.
A. The Vatican Necropolis is open between 9 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Friday and from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
A. No. Photography is not permitted inside the Vatican Necropolis.
A. No. Sadly, the underground ruins of the Vatican Necropolis are not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
A. A tour of just the Vatican Necropolis takes about 1 - 2 hours.
A. A cemetery is a burial site for the deceased, while a necropolis is a large cemetery constructed in an elaborate manner, located outside the city. Necropolis or nekropolis, refers to the "city of the dead".