🏛️LandmarkClosed · Opens 7:30 AMFree

Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli

Name: Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli
Rating: 4.7

4.7 ·

Step into the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, tucked just uphill from the Colosseum crowds. See the relic chains said to have bound Saint Peter, then stand before Michelangelo's powerful Moses sculpture.

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Reasons to go

Houses the relic believed to be the chains that bound St. Peter in Jerusalem and Rome, displayed beneath the high altar.
Contains Michelangelo's Moses, carved for the unfinished tomb of Pope Julius II and ranked among his major sculptures outside the Sistine Chapel.
Sits just uphill from the Colosseum but off the main tourist route, so it draws far fewer visitors despite the artwork inside.

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Full description

Its name — 'Saint Peter in Chains' — refers to the relic displayed beneath the high altar, said to be the shackles that bound the apostle in Jerusalem and Rome. The bigger draw for most visitors is Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses, originally intended for the unfinished tomb of Pope Julius II, and considered one of his most powerful works outside the Sistine Chapel.

Because it sits a short but uphill walk from the Colosseum rather than directly on the main tourist path, it gets a fraction of the crowds despite the caliber of what's inside. It's a quick, worthwhile detour for anyone touring ancient Rome who also wants a dose of Michelangelo.

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Address

Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/A, 00184 Roma RM, Italy · Monti

Website

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Hours

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Booking

Walk-in

Duration

30 min

Best time

early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

Intensity

Easy pace

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Good to know

It's a short uphill walk from the Colosseum, easy to combine with that visit
entry is free, so there's no need to book ahead
go in the morning for the best natural light on the Moses sculpture.

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Reviews

Well worth finding this off-the-path basilica. The Michelangelo sculpture of Moses is quite incredible. There was construction happening inside the basilica while we were there and there were limited hours, but plenty of room to roam and look at the incredible art and beautiful structure. There was even an interesting…

Kent Brown

2/5

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