St. Paul Outside the Walls

Our stand-alone tours of each of Rome’s Major Basilicas are an ideal option for those who prefer bite-sized city experiences. Visit St Paul Outside the Walls with us for a 60-90 minute pilgrim tour that focuses on the true spiritual and religious significance of one of Rome’s ‘Big Four’.  A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, St Paul’s is an essential foray beyond the walls of the historical centre for anyone interested in the unparalleled patrimony of Christian history here in the Eternal City. Our Catholic pilgrim tours are led by devout Catholic scholars with a unique ability to weave catechesis into a sightseeing experience. You’ll learn all about the fine art and architecture of the basilica, its unique history and of course, see the sarcophagus of St Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, and one of the Pillars of the Church along with St Peter. As with so many of Rome’s multitudinous churches, St Paul’s is filled with secret treasures in plain sight and few people are aware that the miraculous cross that inspired St Bridget of Sweden to found the Order of the Bridgettines is kept here. Also on display is the relic of the chain that bound the Apostle Paul during his captivity in Rome. We’ll see the Holy Door - one of the four in Rome that will open throughout the Jubileum year - as well as the fine and ornate artwork and mosaics that make this particular basilica remarkable. The captivating golden mosaic facade of the basilica known locally as ‘San Paolo Fuori le Mura’ is filled with meaning, much like the design of the cloister and of course, the conclave behind the main altar. The catechesis rarely interpreted by those not of the Catholic faith blends seamlessly with each and every distinctive feature of the basilica, testament as ever to the life of the Church and to the living Word of God, as professed by St Paul himself. The original basilica was constructed in the 4th century at the location where St Paul was buried. Scholars of Christian history will know of course, that as a Roman citizen, St Paul was spared the slow agony of crucifixion and was instead beheaded for the crime of being Christian. Improved repeatedly over the centuries, restored and even partially rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1823, St Paul’s Basilica stands proudly today almost 1700 years old. Its stunning interior belies its slightly out-of-the-way location and the lesser importance given to it by mainstream travel guides. Our tour concludes outside the basilica in the neighbourhood of the same name: San Paolo. Just a few stops on the metro from the centre, this fashionable suburb of Rome is well worth exploring for those who would like to get away from the tourist traps and indeed, the tourists.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of St. Paul with this exclusive 3.5-hour tour in Rome. With your private guide and a comfortable private van at your disposal, you'll explore the most important sites related to the Apostle Paul. The tour begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel, where you'll meet your knowledgeable guide and driver. Discover the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Abbey of the Three Fountains, and the intriguing Mamertine Prison. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the prison, saving valuable time for more exploration. Throughout the tour, your private guide will share captivating stories about St. Paul's life and his impact on Christianity. The tour is designed to be accessible for all ages but may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Offered exclusively in English, this unique St. Paul tour provides a personalized and in-depth experience. At the end of the tour, your driver will drop you off at your hotel, leaving you with lasting memories of Rome's rich religious history.

We will start from Piazza della Repubblica, to continue towards the Via Appia Antica, one of the most famous and ancient streets in Rome. During this adventure, we will pass by some of the most famous places in the Christian world,like the Baths of Caracalla and the Chapel of Domine Quo Vadis. In the first part of this tour, on the Via Appia Antica, we will have the opportunity to visit the Basilica of San Sebastiano, one of the seven churches of Rome, an important Catholic pilgrimage route, and the famous Catacombs of San Sebastiano, where Roman Christians were buried. Leaving the fascinating and mysterious Catacombs, we go in the direction of the San Paolo district, where the beautiful and imposing Basilica of San Paolo Outside the Walls is located.After the visit to the Basilica, you will return to the meeting point with the option of going down to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Discover Rome and explore the sites that have made this city the center of Christianity. Relive this ancient history walking through the impressive Papal Basilicas, places where history, faith and art blend together through the lives of popes, saints and artists. You can visit the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, with its beautiful medieval cloister, then move on to the first basilica in Rome, St. John Lateran, the place of the agreements between the political powers and the power of the church. Continue your journey in Catholicism at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the most important of the Roman churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with many mosaics and decorations. At the end, admire the elegance and the artistic and architectural majesty of St. Peter's Basilica and the masterpieces of Bernini and Michelangelo.

The Crucis Holy Doors Pilgrim Tour offers visitors to Rome the chance to take in all four of her Major Papal Basilicas in one day. For pilgrims, its is a quintessential spiritual experience that will create the memory of a lifetime even if it takes place before the opening of the Holy Doors in 2025. Join us on a unique and spectacular tour that combines history and faith; that takes in the scripture, the symbolism and the catechism that seeps from the walls of these, the most elaborate and breathtaking churches in all the world. There’ll be time for reflection and contemplation too, on our whirlwind spiritual experience, as we venerate both St Peter and St Paul, the Pillars of the Church, and learn about their lives, their suffering and their deeds. Beyond that, we’ll study the catechism that adorns the walls in magnificent mosaics behind the altars, that tell of the Old and New Testaments, of the present and of the future as seen in Revelations. Our tour begins early in the morning at St Peter’s Basilica (Basilica San Pietro), the entrance to the Vatican City and to many, the most famous church in the world. Renowned for its majestic beauty (we get to thank Michelangelo among others for that), it is where His Holiness the Pope usually gives mass and is the resting place of St Peter, who was crucified at this very location around 64-67 AD. Next up we skip across town to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls (San Paolo Fuori le Mura), where we’ll come upon the second of the four Holy Doors we’ll visit during the tour. Here we’ll learn all about the life of St Paul—a Roman citizen with much to repent—and get a glimpse of his sarcophagus and the chain that held him in house arrest. Our third Major Papal Basilica and Holy Door is the Mother Church of all the World, the Cathedral of Rome and the highest ranking church in Christendom, that of St John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano), where the skulls of both Saints Peter and Paul are kept. Also the oldest church in Rome, St John Lateran turned exactly 1700 years old in 2023. Finally we conclude the Crucis Holy Doors Pilgrim Tour Rome at the Basilica St Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), dedicated to Our Lady. St Mary Major is home to the icon Salus Populi Romani by Luke the Evangelist, to the relics of the Holy Crib and Holy Sponge that bookend the life of Christ, and also to the graves of St Jerome and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. During the Jubileum of 2025 the Holy Doors at each of the four Major Basilicas will be open and pilgrims that pass through each of them will be granted Partial Indulgence under the Normal Conditions. Whether you plan to make your visit before or during the Holy Year, we promise you a mystical experience that goes beyond the sightseeing of historical landmarks, but deep into the very real significance of Rome to those of the traditional Catholic faith. Our tour ends in Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, a fine spot to grab some lunch at nearby Esquilino or Monti.

Discover two of Rome’s most interesting attractions, which most tourists miss, on a private tour. Go beneath the bustling city to the Catacombs of San Callisto, where you can see ancient tombs and artwork. Then, follow your guide along cobblestone streets and under aqueducts on the Appian Way, once considered one of the most important roads in the Roman Empire. Embark on an intriguing journey exploring the "Secrets Below Rome" with a private driver tour of the Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up as you venture into the depths of Rome's history. Travel in comfort with private transportation, setting off to uncover the mysteries of the Catacombs. Descend into these ancient underground burial sites, where early Christians once gathered and revered. Next, follow the path of ancient Romans along the storied Appian Way. Marvel at the remnants of this historic road, immersing yourself in the echoes of its past. With personalized transportation and insightful guidance, delve into the hidden narratives and lesser-known wonders that lie beneath Rome's surface. Visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, a small church southeast of Rome. It is located about 800 meters from Porta San Sebastiano, where the Via Ardeatina branches off the Appian Way, on the site where, according to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, Saint Peter met the risen Christ while fleeing persecution in Rome. According to the tradition, Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" (Latin: Domine, quo vadis?). Christ answered, "I am going to Rome to be crucified again."

This activity was born with the interest of giving anyone the opportunity to know the main historical/artistic information of the city of Rome using a simple App that can be downloaded in a few moments on your mobile phone. You will be helped by one of our staff to install the App correctly at the time of the rental. So, start discovering Rome on the saddle of a comfortable city bike equipped with a practical phone holder to be able to follow the information provided by the App. Follow your itinerary and when you are in front of a monument, click play on the corresponding monument in the App and enjoy your Roman adventure. All at your own pace, when you want and with the possibility of listening to the same explanation several times by choosing from different languages provided by the same App. Enjoy your day dedicated to art, history and sport.

The tour offers a convenient way to visit three major Papal Basilicas in a single day. We will begin at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, situated in the heart of Rome near the Termini train station, allowing for easy access. This 5th-century church, one of the largest dedicated to the Virgin Mary, features a stunning baroque facade that conceals an ancient core adorned with gold, marble, frescoes, and mosaics. Beneath the holy altar lies the sacred relic of the Holy Crib. The church holds many secrets and legends, which our tour guide will gladly share with you. The next stop is one of the world's largest churches, the magnificent Saint Paul Outside the Walls. As the name suggests, it is located outside the ancient walls. All transfers are included in the tour price, which makes reaching this basilica a breeze. Besides providing an unforgettable spiritual experience, this Papal Basilica holds the record of Popes. Gaze in awe at portraits of every Pope that has served since the beginning of Christianity. Massive in size, Saint Paul's feels like home, cozy and warm. Originally built by Emperor Constantine, it is the resting place of Saint Paul. The last stop on your route is the highest-ranked church in Rome; Saint John in Lateran. Possibly, the very first Catholic church built by the Emperor Constantine, Saint John’s is Rome’s Cathedral. This is the place where a newly elected Bishop of Rome becomes Pope. The highlights of this awe-inspiring church include the official throne of the Pope and numerous chapels adorned with baroque statues. To make your pilgrimage complete, we decided to include in this tour, one of the most sacred sites in the world, the Holy Stairs. Housed in the Papal Chapel of Sancta Sanctorum, it is believed that Jesus Christ ascended these steps before his crucifixion, and they once led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. Use this opportunity to meditate or pray in peace as the tour ends.

Discover the life of St. Paul in Rome following the footsteps of the Apostle! St. Paul was one of the twelve apostles: his life was strongly linked to the Eternal City, which he visited several times. Like a time, machine you will enjoy this tour that will take you to the period of the Roman Times. Explore the ancient Mamertine prison located next to the Roman Forum. Once, according to the Christian tradition, St. Paul and St. Peter were kept prisoners during their stay in Rome under Nero’s Emperor reign. During your tour, you will also visit the Vatican Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls housing the Tomb of the Apostle, the Basilica is decorated with amazing mosaics and has the Holy Door that opens every 25 years for the Jubilee Year. Your tour on the Footsteps of St. Paul will take you to a very special place, the Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata, built on preexisting Roman buildings brought to light, you will see the undergrounds and the Roman rooms where Sant Paul lived for two years during his imprisonment before being executed.

Unearth the spiritual heart of Rome by exploring three of its most revered basilicas, all in the comfort of a private car with a dedicated guide by your side. This experience is not just a tour; it's a journey through time, architecture, and religious significance. Step back into the epochs of Rome as you dive deep into the history and art of Santa Maria Maggiore, stand in awe at the majestic archbasilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, and feel the serenity at San Paolo Fuori le Mura, where the Apostle Paul is said to rest. 1. Santa Maria Maggiore: Begin your journey at this grand basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire its stunning mosaics, and understand its importance as one of the four Papal basilicas. 2. San Giovanni in Laterano: As the Cathedral of Rome, this basilica holds a special place in the Catholic world. Marvel at its opulent interior, the sacred relics, and the adjoining Lateran Palace. 3. San Paolo Fuori le Mura: Conclude your tour at this ancient basilica, which stands as a testament to the Apostle Paul. Its captivating cloister, intricate mosaics, and peaceful ambiance make it a must-visit. Your journey through these spiritual landmarks culminates with a drive back to your initial meeting point or a central location of your choice, allowing you to continue your Roman exploration or return to your accommodation. Every step of this tour ensures comfort, knowledge, and an intimate look at Rome's religious magnificence.