What is under the basilica?

The word necropolis is a Greek term, quite literally meaning the “city of the dead.” The Vatican Necropolis is located about 5 to 12 meters below St. Peter's Basilica. Although hidden for many years, excavations during the 1940s revealed the existence of the necropolis.



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Peter and the bones of the dead Apostle at the end of the tour in the Vatican grottoes, underneath the Basilica.

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Saint Peter's tomb is a site under St. Peter's Basilica that includes several graves and a structure said by Vatican authorities to have been built to memorialize the location of Saint Peter's grave.

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Deep in the depths of Vatican City lies an ancient Roman burial ground referred to as the Vatican Necropolis. The word necropolis is a Greek term, quite literally meaning the “city of the dead.” The Vatican Necropolis is located about 5 to 12 meters below St. Peter's Basilica.

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A pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church. Approximately 100 papal tombs are at least partially extant, representing less than half of the 265 deceased popes, from Saint Peter to Benedict XVI.

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The Catacombs of Rome are underground galleries used for centuries as cemeteries. The catacombs began to take place in the 2nd century and were not finished until the 5th century. Here the pagan citizens, Jews and the first Christians of Rome were buried.

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Under St. Peter's Basilica, about 91 Popes are buried in the papal tombs. There are also tombs of many royalties and noblemen sharing the same burial ground.

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