Vatican & Trastevere

The St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in Christendom and one of humanity's most impressive structures. 186 meters long, 136 meters high (dome), with an area of 23,000 m² — so large that you only grasp the dimensions when you stand inside. Built between 1506 and 1626 over the tomb of the Apostle Peter, with contributions from Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Maderno.

Highlights Inside

• Michelangelo's Pietà (1499): The most famous sculpture in the world — Mary holding the dead Christ. Michelangelo created it at 24 years old. Behind bulletproof glass since the 1972 attack, but the perfection of the marble is still overwhelming.
• Bernini's Baldachin (Baldacchino): The 29-meter-high bronze canopy over the papal altar is a masterpiece of Baroque — four twisted columns that draw the eye to the dome. The bronze comes from the Pantheon.
• Michelangelo's Dome: 42 meters in diameter, 136 meters high. Decorated with mosaics inside. The climb (551 steps or elevator + 320 steps, 8–10€) offers the most spectacular view over Rome.
• Vatican Grottoes: Under the basilica lie the tombs of the popes — including John Paul II and Peter's presumed grave.

Practical Information

The Vatican Museums house one of the largest and most significant art collections in the world — 70,000 objects in 54 galleries, collected over 500 years. The highlight is the Sistine Chapel, but the path there leads through kilometers of masterpieces.

The Most Important Rooms

• Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina): Michelangelo's ceiling fresco (1508–1512) depicts nine scenes from Genesis — including the Creation of Adam with the iconic touch of fingers. The Last Judgment (1536–1541) on the altar wall is Michelangelo's darker late work — 400 figures, including a hidden self-portrait as flayed skin. Photography and talking are officially prohibited (the silence rarely holds).
• Raphael Rooms: Four rooms painted by Raphael for Pope Julius II. The School of Athens (1510) — with Plato (face: Leonardo da Vinci), Aristotle, and Michelangelo as a brooding Heraclitus — is one of the most famous paintings ever.
• Gallery of Maps: A 120-meter-long corridor with 40 fresco maps of Italy from the 16th century — breathtakingly detailed and beautiful.
• Pinacoteca: Paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo, and Giotto in a frequently overlooked gallery.
• Laocoön Group: The ancient sculpture (1st century AD) that so impressed Michelangelo that it shaped his style.

Practical Information

St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro)

Bernini's St. Peter's Square (1656–1667) is one of the greatest masterpieces of urban planning: Two semicircular colonnades with 284 columns and 140 statues of saints embrace the oval square like two arms welcoming the faithful. In the center: an Egyptian obelisk (from the 1st century BC, 25 meters high), brought to Rome by Caligula. During papal audiences (Wednesdays, 10 a.m.) and the Angelus prayer (Sundays, 12 p.m.), the 300,000 m² fill with believers and the curious. Free of charge.

Castel Sant'Angelo

The Castel Sant'Angelo (139 AD) is one of Rome's most fascinating buildings — built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, converted into a fortress, papal prison, escape castle, and now a museum. The Passetto di Borgo, a secret passage on the wall, connected the castle with the Vatican — popes fled through here from attackers (most recently Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527).

• Terrace: The rooftop terrace offers one of the most beautiful views over Rome — over the Tiber, St. Peter's Basilica, and the entire city. Perfect at sunset.
• Ponte Sant'Angelo: The bridge in front of the castle, adorned with ten Bernini angels (1669), is one of the most photogenic spots in Rome.

Entry: 15€. Opening hours: Daily 9–7:30 p.m. Less visited than the Colosseum and Vatican — a hidden gem.

Trastevere (trans Tiberim — beyond the Tiber) is the district every visitor to Rome falls in love with. Narrow cobblestone streets, ivy-covered ochre facades, laundry hanging between houses, small piazzas with fountains, and everywhere the scent of fresh pasta and roasted garlic. Peaceful during the day, Trastevere transforms into Rome's liveliest nightlife district in the evening.

Highlights

• Santa Maria in Trastevere: One of Rome's oldest churches (3rd century), with spectacular golden mosaics from the 12th/13th century in the apse. The piazza in front is the heart of the district — street musicians, children playing soccer, Romans enjoying aperitivo.
• Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill): The hill above Trastevere offers the best panorama of Rome — better than any paid viewing platform. At noon, a cannon is fired here (since 1847), by which you can set your watch.
• Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden): Technically on the Aventine, but often visited together with Trastevere — a small park with orange trees and a panoramic view that graces the city's postcards. Free of charge.

Dining in Trastevere

Trastevere has the highest density of trattorias in Rome — unfortunately, also some tourist traps. The rule of thumb: Avoid the large piazzas (Piazza di Santa Maria, Piazza Trilussa) for dinner and look for the small side streets.

• Da Enzo al 29: Tiny trattoria with a queue at the door — perhaps the best Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana in Rome. No reservations, just line up. Main courses: 10–14€.
• Tonnarello: Large garden, fantastic Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, and a relaxed atmosphere. Reservation recommended. Main courses: 10–16€.
• Supplizio: The best Supplì (fried rice balls with mozzarella filling) in the city — the perfect street food for 2.50€.
• Forno la Renella: Bakery since 1870 — Pizza bianca fresh from the wood oven, crispy and with olive oil and salt. 2–4€ per piece.