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Aflon
This was the highlight of visit to Rome. Underneath the Vatican, there is a virtually intact Roman Necropolis. We were lucky enough to have a very animated archeologist for a guide and she was enthusiastic and full of knowledge. You go through some quite small passageways, but you are rewarded with the sight of the Roman Necropolis just as it was before Constantine covered it in earth so he could build a church on top. The area that is reputed to be St Peter's tomb stands in stark plain contrast to the ornate garish basilica above.
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KWB91
This tour takes you underneath St. Peter's to explore the archaeological origins of the Vatican. My guide was knowledgable and well spoken, and the site itself was very interesting. Towards the end of the visit you see what you are told are St. Peter's bones (believe what you will ;) ).Words of wisdom:-Only get your heart set on doing this if you are planning your trip to Rome a significant time in advance, as the tours will fill up rapidly and are limited due to space constraints and a desire to preserve the space. Frustrating to many, but should be understandable for all. A good rule of thumb is to contact the office 6 months in advance, longer if possible (website: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html).-It is very hot, humid, and cramped in the actual site. Keep this is mind if you have claustrophobia or are prone to lightheadedness; one member of our group had to leave and wait in St. Peter's square.-The entrance is difficult to find for some. Face St. Peter's and follow the colonnade along the left (you want to be outside the colonnade). This will lead you, more or less, to the right area you need to be in. The best course from here is to ask the official looking people for help; if they can help you, they will!
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CurlyGirl19
Our tour of the Scavi (or the Necropolis) was one of the most fascinating things we did while in Rome. This tour gives you a glimpse into what the area where St. Peter's Basilica now stands looked like during the days of ancient Rome. You will also see the supposed tomb of St. Peter himself. Its so very intriguing. As other reviews mention, you must contact the Excavations Office in Rome and request tickets well in advance. Only approximately 250 people are admitted for tours of the Necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter per day. The tour is underground. The walkways are narrow and the atmospheric conditions are warm and humid. If you are claustrophobic or have breathing problems, do not take this tour. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was determined to make sure everyone in our group had an amazing experience. Our safety was also her #1 concern, so we felt completely safe while on the tour, while also feeling like we were getting a VIP experience. Arrive early, as the Scavi Office can be tricky to find. Don't miss out on this tour. A must-do while you're in Rome!
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JHMTTL
The Scavi tour was my favorite tour in Rome. This tour involves walking underneath of St. Peters Basilica. You walk among the original foundations of St. Peters Basilica, see tombs, as well as see the original place St. Peter was buried. The architecture is absolutely amazing. Above your heads you see ventilation grates. On the top side of the ventilation grates you see tourists walking around St. Peters Basilica. While on the tour you get a sence how old everything is around you, and how it was realtively untouched from the period of time St. Peters was built until the 1970's. The tour starts to the left of St. Peters thru the columns. You need to go through security before going to the Scavi office to pick up your tickets. Each tour has a maximum of 12 tourists. There are two English speaking tours each day. You should book your tickets 2-3 months in advance.
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TimCurry
This was fascinating. The necropolis reminded me of the cemeteries in New Orleans with the elaborate family mausoleums, only this one is now all underground. Learning about the search for St. Peter's tomb and seeing the real thing (not the extravagant modern version in the crypt) was quite special. Tip: if you arrive for you tour at the line by the Swiss Guard checkpoint, and there is a non-moving crowd, this may be a group that arrived too early for their tour. We eventually realized no one else was speaking English and our tour was about to start, so I got the guard's attention and he let us through in time.
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dmascheck
Planned on being in Rome over the Christmas holiday and thought we would go to midnight mass. Got tickets, but then the reality set in in regard to the crowds. We also planned on going to Germany and decided we preferred to be in Munich at Christmas more than Rome. A bit saddened, but then someone on the Tripadvisor forum asked me if I knew about the Necropolis tour under St Peter’s. He sent the link and of course I have seen a video about it. Luckily we got tickets. They only take small groups and have limited access.We made it to Rome, and our tour was at 11:00. Got their early and had to wait a bit to go through the gate monitored by the Vatican Guards. They were very cordial and the time finally came. We went to the area to get our tickets after showing our confirmation. We were lead to an area we met a middle aged woman. I’m unsure if she was a nun or just a tour guide. She took us into a room to show us a model of the area. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about everything, but she had little enthusiasm. It was like she was reading everything from a book in a monotone voice. I pray all the guides are not like her.Once she opened the sealed glass doors, you noticed the warm moistness hitting your face. It was very moist and warm compared to outside. There is plenty walking to see everything so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes. It was cold outside, but in the Necropolis I had to take my coat off to keep from perspiring!(GRIN)We saw so many wonderful things and the colors some of the tombs are painted, is amazing! One of the last things you will see at the end is the area where Saint Peter's remains are interred. We exited through an area many of the Popes were buried and you will remember the glass doors opening and the cool fresh air hitting your face! It was refreshing after the long walk in the warm damp Necropolis. We came out in St Peter’s Basilica at the end of the tour. I would have given the tour 5 stars, if the guide would have been better. It is a wonderful place but her monotone voice was a real let down to a wonderful place!!
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313VictoriaR
So glad I did my research and booked this. I was lucky enough to book and in the same week they had availability (out of season) but I think it would be wise to email months in advance. Our tour guide was very informative and passionate, and was happy to answer any questions and tried her best to interact with everyone. Such a fantastic opportunity that not everyone gets to see at the Vatican. It was warm down there in February so can't imagine how warm it will be in the summer months. Make sure you dress in layers! I'd advise giving yourself plenty of time to find where you need to be as it isn't we'll sign posted, and ask staff for directions. The good thing is that once you are through security (just a small truck!) , after the tour you go straight up into the basilica and avoid the huge line for security the usual way. Worth 13 euros for sure!
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elizabethmaths
We had a brilliant young American tourguide who led us on the 1.5hr guide in the Necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica. The ruins are incredible and the history behind it even more fascinating. Would definitely recommend anyone in Vatican city to do this tour, but you've to book in advance at least 2weeks (depending time of year). Also to note that it's quite humid and stuffy underground but is completely manageable for the average person. Well worth the money!
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TravellerNanaimoB_C_
The Scavi Tour will take you, along with a small group of 12 or so well under St. Peters Basilica into the old burial site for the ancient Romans, who, according to Roman law could not bury their dead inside Rome's City wall. Eventually, over time (Emperor Constantine). the current and existing St. Peters Basilica was constructed over top of the then covered over burial site and the supposed crave site of St. Peter himself.So, as you start the tour you are on the top or most recent grounds of the cemetery and as you travel deeper into the Necropolis you are traveling back in time to the era when many of the early Roman citizens were buried. As mentioned above it is said that the remains of St. Peter were buried in the Necropolis but this is disputed by some archaeologists and church historians who disagree.The guides who take you into the Necropolis are extremely well versed in all of its history and an English tour is easily arranged. The tour takes most of two hours to complete and is not for the claustrophobic as there are some very narrow and confined spaces.Tickets MUST be pre purchased well in advance of when you want to visit, usually two or even three months in advance. Even then it is sometimes hard to get a spot. You need to email the Scavi office and they will send you the booking information request form. You send this in and wait for them to send you a return email. Then, if lucky you given a confirmation or asked to pick another time. Be patient and you will eventually succeed in getting a reservation. Now having said all this if your trip to Rome is just a few weeks away it is still worth a try to get a reservation. So an email to the Scavi office may still get you a ticket. We didn't find out about the Scavi tour until just before we were to travel to Rome (I think three weeks prior to our departure) but we sent in the request anyway and were lucky and obtained a reservation. Granted we visited in September when the crowds a smaller.Tip: When you arrive at the Vatican head towards the front of the Basilica and veer off to the left. Just after you pass a bank of offices and washrooms head to the left again (past the exit point for people leaving the Basilica) and show your reservation to the Swiss Guards who guard the entrance to the Scavi and other offices. The office is easy to locate and once inside everything will proceed quickly.Now when you leave the Scavi tour you are treated to a BONUS. You are able to enter directly into St. Peters Basilica and bypass the normally huge long lines to get in. So for 15 dollars or so you can enjoy a fabulous tour and then direct entrance into the Basilica. This is a unique and not to be missed part of the Basilica that not many visitors will see.
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MTRose
We booked this tour 3 months in advance. It was easy to do on the web. After you get confirmation, go to the secure online payment site to pay. Print off your confirmation and proof of payment and bring it with you. Walk to the gray metal gates to the left of the Basilica's entrance where there are 2 swiss guards. They have a separate security truck there and there is no need to wait in the long security line for the Basilica itself. We got there 20 minutes before our scheduled tour which was plenty of time. At 15 minutes before, they check your paper, let you pass through the gates and then go to the scavi office to get your official tickets. We had an archaeologist guide. She was Italian, but spoke English. Her accent was pretty strong, so we had to concentrate to understand her sometimes. She was also very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic.The tour lasts about 1 1/2 hours. It's very interesting and informative. Seeing the origins of the Basilica and learning the history add so much to the visit of the Basilica. To be right where the 'tomb' of Peter is and look up at the dome through the floor, to walk beside and inside the original church, and to see Pegan tombs, frescos, mosaics and other mausoleums that were once completely covered by dirt and only recently excavated is beyond fascinating. You end in the chapel and exit into the grotto where many other popes are buried. Then you can continue your visit of the Basilica and/or the Dome from there. This is, by far, the best and only way to visit the Basilica. I would do it all over again in a heart beat.This is not a tour for young children, handicapped or claustrophobic people. The halls and stairways are very small and narrow. It's humid and warm.
