The Tomb Of Saint Peter

The tomb of Saint Peter lies directly beneath the High Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. It dates back to the first century and was carved into the southern slope of Vatican Hill, just outside the Circus of Nero, where Christians were persecuted during the reign of Emperor Nero, between AD 54 and 68.

For a long time, there was uncertainty about whether this was truly Saint Peter’s burial place, as the tomb bore no name and no remains had initially been identified. This mystery was later clarified through the work of the archaeologist Margherita Guarducci. She deciphered ancient graffiti inscriptions found on the surrounding walls, including the words “Peter is here.”

There is a striking symbolic alignment that marks the location of Saint Peter’s tomb. From the outside, it is indicated by the gleaming golden cross atop the great dome of the basilica. Inside the church, the tomb is marked by the magnificent bronze baldachin rising directly above the High Altar.