|
The
door to the Scavi Office. The sign says:
Hours 9-17; Closed Sundays and Holidays
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The
best tip for the Scavi Tour is to book early
with an email to the Vatican
Excavations Office. At least 90 days in advance
is recommended. Many requests made less than 30 days
in advance are often not accepted due to the limited
availability. Only about 200 people go through the Scavi
each day in different language groups of about 12. Having
a small group and offering a wider range of days for
the reservation will increase your chances. |
It
seems that noone really understands how the office handles
the reservations. Repeatedly emailing, faxing or calling
the office doesn't appear to help your chances. The office
is very busy so all you can do is hope for a ticket. Some
people (party of one) have gone to the office at 9:00am,
asked if there are any cancellations, and have received
a tour that day. I've personally tried this without success.
Frequently
Asked Questions
When
and Where to go? See: Map to
Scavi
Walk up to the Swiss Guard on the left side of St Peter's
Basilica 10 minutes before the tour begins, and just say
"Scavi Tour". It's helpful to have a copy of your
reservation in hand. Sometimes the Swiss Guard will not
allow entry until just a few minutes before your reserved
time.
What
is it like inside the Scavi?
It's a little claustophobic inside the Scavi. The air is
humid and warm, but the ground is dry. The lighting is dim,
and you walk on uneven ground as you look inside the various
tombs. Some of the objects can only be viewed one at a time.
A person with a physical disability may have some problems.
What
can I Bring?
You're not supposed to bring any cameras, recording devices,
or large objects. Purses and small handbags are permitted.
It you need to check items beforehand, you must do this
at the free baggage check on the right side of St Peter's,
which requires going through security.
What
are the Age Limits?
The Vatican website says that only persons over 15 years
old are admitted. Several people have reported that their
(older looking and acting) 13 to 14 year old children were
admitted.
What
do I Wear?
Dress appropriately for a religious site; sholders covered,
no shorts. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the ground
is uneven.
What
times are the tours?
Tours run continually from 9:15AM until 3:30PM, Monday -
Saturday. The tours last about one hour.
Where
does the tour end?
The Scavi website states that the tour ends back at the
Excavations Office. The tour is actually finished when you
enter the Clementine Chapel in the grottoes. Your guide
might allow you to then visit the grottoes (tomb of Pope
John Paul II).
Where
can I find more Information?
If you want to discuss why you haven't heard back about
your reservation, there are several travel forums online
where this is a recurring topic.
If you want to purchase information, the Vatican bookstore
offers a magazine titled, 'Roma Sacra - The Vatican Necropolis'.
More detailed info can be found in the online
books here.
An online article to read is: The
Scavi of St. Peter's and the Grittiness of Catholicism
by George Weigel.
