St Peter's in Rome is already a must-see. It is an extraordinary, massive building that is steeped in history and incredibly photogenic. However, many visitors skip out on, arguably, the best part of a visit to the building: the view from the top.
Once you have found a vacation rental in Rome, have gone through security, entered the building and wandered around the awe-inspiring interior, be sure to follow the sign that reads “cupola”. This will take you to a ticket office and then a staircase and elevator that lead up to the famous dome of the church.
The dome is one of the greatest architectural feats of the era and one of Michelangelo's great works. Begun in 1546, during the papacy of Paul III, work paused at the height of the work with Michelangelo’s death but was continued 15 years later under Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana.
Once you have found a vacation rental in Rome, have gone through security, entered the building and wandered around the awe-inspiring interior, be sure to follow the sign that reads “cupola”. This will take you to a ticket office and then a staircase and elevator that lead up to the famous dome of the church.
The dome is one of the greatest architectural feats of the era and one of Michelangelo's great works. Begun in 1546, during the papacy of Paul III, work paused at the height of the work with Michelangelo’s death but was continued 15 years later under Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana.
Following its completion the facing and the lead lining were completed, and a golden bronze sphere, culminating in a cross, was placed on top.
Now it is a great symbol of the Church and Rome and is one of the most iconic structures in the city that draws endless visitors every day.
If you want to go all the way up to the top, it costs 5 euros if you use the stairs (551 steps) and 7 euros if you take the elevator and then the stairs the rest of the way (320 steps). There is only a small difference in the cost and the journey up is rather tiring so we recommend taking the lift. Bear in mind that the infirm may have difficulty with the journey. The lift takes you as far as an interior balcony at the base of the dome where you can admire it and its mosaics before climbing a spiral staircase that leads up to the upper area.
This journey takes about ten minutes and involves passing through quite a narrow space that can get very warm in summer but is punctuated by some small windows that provide views of the outside. However, the really special view is from the top: a spectacular 360º view of St Peter’s Square and the city of Rome. Back at the bottom of the spiral staircase there is also a terrace with bathrooms, a water fountain, a souvenir shop and a café.
The most impressive view of the city is offered from the dome and the whole experience has been pretty well set-up so it really is well worth a visit.
Now it is a great symbol of the Church and Rome and is one of the most iconic structures in the city that draws endless visitors every day.
If you want to go all the way up to the top, it costs 5 euros if you use the stairs (551 steps) and 7 euros if you take the elevator and then the stairs the rest of the way (320 steps). There is only a small difference in the cost and the journey up is rather tiring so we recommend taking the lift. Bear in mind that the infirm may have difficulty with the journey. The lift takes you as far as an interior balcony at the base of the dome where you can admire it and its mosaics before climbing a spiral staircase that leads up to the upper area.
This journey takes about ten minutes and involves passing through quite a narrow space that can get very warm in summer but is punctuated by some small windows that provide views of the outside. However, the really special view is from the top: a spectacular 360º view of St Peter’s Square and the city of Rome. Back at the bottom of the spiral staircase there is also a terrace with bathrooms, a water fountain, a souvenir shop and a café.
The most impressive view of the city is offered from the dome and the whole experience has been pretty well set-up so it really is well worth a visit.