What's on at St Peter's Basilica

By Go City Expert

St Peter’s Basilica is the power house of the Catholic Church set in Rome’s Vatican City, on the northern side of the River Tiber. The impressive basilica overlooks a huge colonnade-lined square and was designed and decorated by Italy’s most esteemed and prestigious designers such as Bernini, Michelangelo and Bramante. Capture the picture perfect moment for yourself and visit one of Rome’s most iconic silhouettes, St Peter’s Basilica. Boasting the world’s highest dome, the structure as a whole is truly breath-taking and one of the most impressive examples of religious architecture in the world. As it’s a place of pilgrimage and prayer, it’s no surprise that there are various events held there every month. Thousands gather to hear the weekly sermons – some even travel across the globe just to participate. If you fancy a bit of the action and are in Rome this month, pay a visit to this stunning landmark and epicentre of the Catholic Church to take part in some of the public Papal proceedings in June. 6th June, Friday Saint Peter's Square, at 12:15 - Meeting with the Carabinieri Corps on the 200th anniversary of its foundation 7th June, Saturday Saint Peter's Square, at 16:30 - Meeting with the Sports Associations 8th June, Pentecost Sunday Vatican Basilica, at 10:00 - PAPAL MASS, Holy Mass Saint Peter's Square, at 12:00 – Angelus 11th June, Wednesday Saint Peter's Square, at 10:30 - General Audience 12th June, Thursday Consistory Hall, at 10:00 - Consistory for several Causes of Canonization 15th June, Sunday Saint Peter's Square, at 12:00 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Angelus 18th June, Wednesday Saint Peter's Square, at 10:30 - General Audience 22nd June, Sunday Saint Peter's Square, at 12:00 – Angelus 25th June, Wednesday Saint Peter's Square, at 10:30 - General Audience 29th June, Sunday Vatican Basilica, at 9:30 - Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, PAPAL MASS - Holy Mass and imposition of the Pallium on new Metropolitan Archbishops Discover more with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card. Enjoy a free audio guide at St Peter’s Basilica for FREE and skip the queues saving you time in the busy months. Why not visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after, and walk right up to the front with no queuing and no extra payment. Want to learn more? Click here to find out how it works...

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Five Facts: Michelangelo and his Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited sites in Rome. Did you know around 25,000 people a day visit the esteemed landmark to marvel at the Renaissance masterpiece? Crazy, isn’t it. (But don't sweat it, with the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Card you can jump straight to the front of the queue, VIP style). Among these 5 million people a year are Italians and tourists alike, dedicated pilgrims and art buffs dying for a glimpse of the high rise frescoes. So before you visit, why not go armed with some facts just in case you miss the guided tour – or in case anyone tests your knowledge. Get down to the basics The Sistine Chapel, or Cappella Sistina, was named after Pope Sixtus IV, Sisto in Italian. It was he who commissioned the Chapel in 1473; probably never imagining it would be a world famous landmark. Intending the chapel to be for private use for the Papal palace, it’s ironic now to think that such a place was ever destined to stay a quiet religious sanctuary. Home to one of the most recognised frescoes in art history, the Sistine Chapel paintings cover an impressive 12,000 sq ft – that’s nearly two rugby pitches of Renaissance pièces de resistance under one roof. The fame game Although the Sistine Chapel is most famous for Michelangelo’s masterpiece, Pope Sisto had actually commissioned frescoes from Botticelli to decorate the two long walls of the chapel. As a Renaissance contemporary, Botticelli’s work is outstanding in itself – it’s just a shame that now most people overlook his efforts in favour of the impressive ceiling. So if you’re visiting, give Botticelli a look in and remember it’s not all just about Michelangelo. Story time It’s something of a feat in itself to paint such a masterpiece as The Last Judgement, let alone to tell a story within it. To understand more about what you (and 24,999 others) are looking at, the nine panels depict religious stories from the Book of Genesis. With characters from the Creation to the legend of Noah, Michelangelo flipped the order and decided to paint the panels in reverse – ending with God creating the sun, moon, Earth, darkness and light. Ever the perfectionist, Michelangelo left this chapter to the end as he believed his technique would be more refined than when he started. Quite rightly he believed he ought to get the image of the divine right, seeing as he was in God’s house... Indecent exposure We all know Renaissance art is renowned for its nudity and celebration of the human form, but in 1564 the Council of Trent put their foot down and demanded that the more ‘prominent’ nudes that decorated the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel be covered up and made slightly more decent. So much so, Daniele da Volterra was commissioned to paint underwear, or braghe, on the naughty naked ones. Unfortunately, this lent da Volterra the nickname Braghettone after his job. For those who don’t speak Italian, that means Big Pants. Prime position You might think that it would be logical to paint a ceiling whilst lying on your back, in a horizontal position. Well, Michelangelo didn’t. The artist invented a platform on scaffolding that would allow him and his assistants to stand upright to paint, reaching above their heads. Although standing might have allowed for a better, more natural style of painting, Michelangelo wasn’t shy about sharing the discomfort of the job and the physical strain of the awkward angle, lamenting in a poem he wrote about “this torture” and how his “spine’s all knotted.” Considering he was originally hired to sculpt a tomb, and sculpting was actually Michelangelo’s true profession, you could see how he might have been a little bitter... With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass you can visit the Sistine Chapel for free! Saving yourself €27.50, visit this 15th century chapel, not to mention one of Rome’s most famous historical buildings, and admire Michelangelo’s (and Botticelli’s) Renaissance masterpieces and put your knowledge to the test. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass also grants you skip-the-line privileges – a blessing during the summer months - so despite the 25,000 people a day, you'll be one of the lucky few who can wave goodbye to the long queues as you make your way to the front.

Buon Natale! Christmas celebrations in Rome

With less than two weeks to go until 25th December, we’re all getting very excited. Whether you’ll be in Rome for the actual day or whether you’re just visiting in the run up, you can still enjoy the wide range of festive events and activities going on during the season. Christmas Market at Piazza Navona Although Rome’s not nationally or internationally famed for its Christmas markets, the most popular one can be found dominating the whole of Piazza Navona (accessible on a Rome Bus Tour) from late November through to early January. Filled with fairground-style stalls and novelty gifts, it’s every Roman’s answer to a commercialised Christmas. And so what, it’s fun! With plenty to purchase from candy floss to delicious Italian treats like panettone, it’s worth a visit just to get you in the Christmas spirit at least. Make sure to take loose change though as cash points in the area are hard to come by. Christmas Tree at St Peter’s Square St Peter’s Basilica needs no introduction, and nor do you need reminding of its importance and spiritual and historic symbolism. At Christmas thought it’s famous for another reason (other than the obvious) as a huge Christmas tree (usually around the 25m mark) is erected in the middle of the square. The tradition of the Christmas tree has been around since 1982 when the Polish Pope John Paul II introduced this much loved Northern European festive symbol. Now, every year the tree is donated by a different country and this year it's back to Italy and the Southern region of Calabria. NB: If you’re in Rome for Christmas Eve, their annual Nativity Play is also unveiled to celebrate the birth of Christ – definitely worth a visit! Christmas Music at Natale all'Auditorium Parco della Musica Each country and culture has their own Christmas traditions and music plays as much a part in it as anything. Where the Westernised Christian traditions usually sing carols, in Rome you can enjoy Christmas at the Auditorium Parco della Musica with the Rome Gospel Festival. But it’s not all about the music, although Parco della Musica hosts a wide range of concerts and operas from early December through to early January, there’s also an ice rink and a Christmas market, too. A great place to take the kids for a mix of culture and Christmas cheer! Christmas Shopping Arti & Mestieri Expo Rome has lots of good artisanal shops and independent sellers to get inspired for your Christmas shopping, if you’re looking for something really unique then head to the Arti & Mestieri Expo (Arts & Crafts Expo), from 11th December to 14th December. With stalls exhibiting all sorts of crafts, food, wine, beauty and lifestyle products – there’s something for everyone! Perfect for stocking fillers or substantial presents you can find silver jewellery and leather goods, to handmade cards and knick knacks. Ice Skating at Castel Sant’angelo To top off the Christmas extravaganza in Rome, end your festive holiday with a bit of ice skating. At one of the most picturesque spots, right in front of Castel Sant’angelo, you can skate against a historic backdrop and drink in just being in Rome at Christmas! Just a short walk away is the bustling area of Trastevere, too, a great place to go and warm up with a drink and some pizza afterwards.

Our historical and cultural guide to Churches in Rome

Discover the history and cultural beauty of some of the most iconic churches in Rome with our guide! Whether you’re visiting the Eternal City as a tourist or as a pilgrim, exploring the beautiful churches in Rome is a must-do. And with over 900 dotted around the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Discovering a small baroque masterpiece on a leisurely amble through the streets is a particular delight, but here is a bit more about the churches we think you wouldn’t want to miss. Brought to you by the team at the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano Known in English as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, this is the official seat of the Bishop of Rome (ie. the Pope). Built during the reign of Constantine I, the first Christian emperor of Rome, it’s also amongst the oldest churches in the world. It has however been through several reconstructions and renovations. The impressive baroque façade was completed in 1735 and includes a portico from which the Pope gives his benediction on Maundy Thursday. Take a good look at the central bronze doors, which are Roman originals, recovered from the Imperial Forum. And once inside, look out for the cosmatesque pavement in the nave (a type of inlaid stonework from the 14th century), and statues of apostles from the 18th century. The basilica also houses several important relics. Don’t forget to visit the adjacent cloisters, which are all that remain of a 13th century Benedictine monastery. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Located on the top of Esquiline Hill, the Basilica of St Mary Major is one of the best examples of early Christian churches in Rome. Check out the magnificent 5th-century mosaics and triumphal arch, as well as the crypt of the nativity, home to another prized relic, the crib (or manger) of Jesus Christ. The site for the church was chosen after a legendary summer snowfall in AD 359 - clearly a miracle in the blistering heat of a Roman summer. The event is commemorated every year on 5 August, when a shower of white rose petals is released from the dome. Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura St Paul Outside-the-Walls is the newest of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, relatively speaking. Although it was originally completed in the 5th century, repeated earthquakes and a catastrophic fire meant it had to be completely rebuilt in 1823. It’s still magnificent and marks the burial place of St Paul, who was executed by decapitation in the 4th century. Particular highlights include the Romanesque Easter candle statues and the Gothic baldacchin (a marble canopy at the high altar). The inside of the church is large and imposing, and is joined to a cloister, which was untouched by the fire and dates back to the 13th century. The Pantheon The Pantheon is of course best known as an ancient temple to honour all gods (this is the original Greek meaning of the name), but was turned into a church in 609 AD. This has contributed to its longevity and it remains the best preserved ancient monument in the Italian capital. Made from material quite similar to modern-day concrete, the dome is still the largest unsupported dome in the world. Check out the oculus in the centre, 7.8m in diameter, which is the only source of light in the building. There are of course many more notable churches, including Santa Maria sopra Minerva, build on the site of a pagan temple, and Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, which contains works by Renaissance artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Please don’t forget: when visiting churches, bear in mind that these are places of worship. Shorts and skirts should be longer than the knees and shoulders must be covered – some sites may otherwise refuse entry. You may have been surprised not to find St Peter’s Basilica on this list of churches in Rome, but it’s been covered so extensively elsewhere that we thought you would be unlikely to miss it. And technically speaking, it’s actually in the Vatican. What will make your list of favourites?

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