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Visiting The VaticanPapal Audiences, Gardens Tour
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Directions to the North American Visitor's Office from the Trevi Fountain. |
Bishops' Office for U.S. Visitors
to the Vatican
Attn: Rev. Msgr. Roger C. Roensch
via dell'Umilita, 30
00187 Roma
Italy
Ph: 011-39-06-690-011 Fx: 011-39-06-679-1448
e-mail: nacvisoffrome.csm@citiesonline.it
Please note the Bishop's Office cannot arrange Scavi or Garden tours.
orning visits are possible through a guided tour. Perhaps our greatest regret of things undone over two dozen visits over 30 years to Rome is in not taking this tour until just recently.
Don't wait that long! There is a little bustle involved, since, for most of us, they can only be seen as part of a tour, but it's an interesting, relaxed and informative one. The tour operates Monday-Saturday, except Wednesdays, at 1000. You must be at the office by 0945, prior to the tour.
We had to wait four days for our tour during the shoulder season (May). You might be able to go without a wait off season, but expect a longer wait in peak. |
ou'll take a slow bus tour with several stops for history lessons until you reach the highest spot in Rome, the Papal helipad. From there you walk, slowly, back to the square, visiting as fine gardens as you'll find, and viewing superb architecture with commentary by a knowledgeable guide. (In English -- and possibly other languages.) It's a pleasant, peaceful and enriching ninety minutes.
You must reserve the tour in advance at the Tourist Information Office. It is relocated near the Post Office in Saint Peter's Square. Phone: 011-39-06-6988-4466 or 6988-4866. Fax 6988-5100. The cost is around $10 per person, perhaps ITL20,000.
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Tomb of St. Peter and lmost anyone who has taken this tour counts it among the highlights of their Rome visit.
Even if you've taken the tour in the past you may want to repeat. You will find vastly improved, technically advanced, lighting has been installed, and much restoration has been done in the time since our first visit 20 years ago. All in all, you'll see more than you've ever been able to see before. ntering through a door on the south (left) side of the basilica you quickly leave the present and time-travel backwards 2000 or more years. You've entered a Roman 'city of the dead' (necropolis) underlaying the modern church. The passageway opens into the main street of what looks like a stage-set or Disney World ride.
The sides of the streets are lined with two-story high mausoleums. The decor is faded, more indistinguishable even in the dim light. Clearly, though, pagan satyrs and Roman and Greek gods display themselves side by side with Christ, the Apostles and Christian symbols. You'll find as well the remains of houses, shops and cemeteries ... and at the end you'll get within an eylash of what may well be Peter's tomb, directly below the high altar of the church. ou can apply for a tour by sending an e-mail to uff.scavi@fabricsp.va. It's a good idea to give a range of dates in your request as tour availability is limited. Tours run most Mondays through Saturdays. Make reservations as far in advance as possible. While they usually respond to requests by e-mail promptly, it's not unusual to have problems. Should you not receive a response to your e-mail request, make a new request by fax, as directed below. No one under 15
is admitted, You may have to pay a non-refundable deposit for your tours within ten days of confirmation or the reservation will be canceled. (Too many no-shows in the past have spoiled it for the rest of us. The Scavi office seems to relax and tighten regulations from time to time, so see what they say.) You will receive a confirmation within two weeks or less, normally. If a deposit is required they'll send instructions. US dollar checks are usually accepted. hen in Rome you may apply for the tour at the Soperintendenza degli Scavi (Superintendent of the Excavations - "excavations office"). This office is through the Arch of the Bells to the left of the church as you stand facing it in the square; it's the archway you see guarded by the colorful Swiss Guards.
There's usually a wait of several days, often two weeks or more. In the past a small group of people have been added to a previously-planned tour leaving in just a few minutes. However the Soperintendenza appears to be 'encouraging' reservations by turning away folks with no reservations even when there is space on a tour. When you reserve you'll probably have to leave a deposit against the total cost. Even if your time in Rome is short, it's worth the effort to check on the availability of a tour. You can also reserve a tour by phone
or fax. Phone: 011-39-06-6988.5318; do not call from the US. From the US:
When you've booked ahead from home you may have to go to the office prior to the tour to confirm your reservation and leave the deposit if you did not send one earlier. Again, you'll receive instructions as to "this week's" drill. e've often been asked if the tour would be bothersome to claustrophobes, or whether there are extended stairs without railings, etc. The answer is a firm, "No". There's absolutely nothing about this tour that anyone we know would find scary. While the tour is technically "underground", you'll be stunned by the size (including height) of the areas through which you pass. While there are some stairs, there is no significant amount of "up and down", and there's little risk of falling, tripping, etc. Be sure and
see our information on ilgrims will want to know that the American Parish in Rome publishes on its website current information on operating hours for the several Basilicas as well as times of mass celebrations, hours of the Vatican Museums and the operating times of various catacombs. Have you
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Gehrlein Traveling
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