Porta Santa
Porta Santa
4.5
About
The Porta Santa, or Holy Door, was only opened by the Pope for Holy Year celebrations and closed at the end of 2000, and will remain sealed until 2025.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Vatican / Borgo
Frocked priests, colorful Swiss Guards, insistent souvenir shop owners, flag-waving tour guides, and pilgrims from around the world. This is the Vatican and Borgo, Rome's most recognized neighbourhood which acts as Vatican City's front yard. Aside from the souvenir boutiques and a few food spots, the only business conducted here is papal. In the daytime, the tiny medieval sector bustles with holy activity, as visitors vie for elbow room, or stand in line for a visit. Once the sun sets, the neighbourhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
610 reviews
Excellent
368
Very good
177
Average
56
Poor
7
Terrible
2
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Adam C
Poznan, Poland899 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Huge, golden, decorated doors, not to say gates - the main entrance to St. Peter's Basilica. Peter. They are opened once every many, many years - the last time in 2000, the next time in 2025. There is no denying that they are wonderful. However, when entering the basilica and using the two pairs of side doors, you may sometimes not pay attention to them, overwhelmed by the splendor of the basilica. That's why it's worth stopping and looking around before you go inside.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance H
Boerne, TX1,258 contributions
Dec 2019
My wife loves doors. She takes pictures of doors all over the world. It goes without saying that she loved this door. The saints on the door are mostly unknown to me. make sure to stop by. I told my daughter knock-knock jokes at this door. She hasn't forgiven me. Maybe that will be the new thing to do when you visit?
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E.L.E
Brno, Czech Republic18,762 contributions
June 2022 • Solo
Beautiful golden door at the entrance of the St Peter BasÃlica. It has so many details and art prints worth the time looking at. Door opens a few times per century
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy
Lee's Summit, MO230 contributions
July 2019
Well worth the July heat & lines to see. Even with the crowds, we were able to get the pictures & time we wanted here. Be sure to research all about the Vatican before you go so you do not miss anything, or take a tour. We chose to research & have a folder of printouts to go over with the children & ourselves.
Written 13 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia5,334 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
In order to sense the divine, harmonious expanse of the largest Christian church in the interior of the Church of St. Peter, it is necessary to go through the main gate of the Basilica. "Door of Filarete" (Bronze Door). The beautiful door leaves no one indifferent. Exceptional beautiful work and size have impressed us. The main entrance to St. Peter's Basilica leads from St. Peter's Square through the Bronze Door. The last door to the right is called the "Holy Door" (Porta Santa) and they are only open for "The Jubilee Year" (every 25 years by the Pope). Passing through the Holy Door in Rome is actually mini-pilgrimage and full forgiveness is obtained. On Christmas Eve Pope, with special ceremony comes to these doors accompanied by a ceremonial procession, and after kneeling three times, and a triple hit with a hammer, the wall is removed and the pope first enters them in the Basilica. Beautiful tradition and a special enchanting atmosphere.
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,691 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Porta Santa is the Holy Door, which you can find on the right side of the entrance into St. Peter's Basilica. This is a large door with sixteen bronze panels depicting religious scenes. Just look for the crowds standing around a large closed door.
The significance of the Holy Door is that it remains closed, cemented shut and is only opened every 25 years for Catholic pilgrims to pass through its doorway. The last time it was open was 2000 so we must wait another 10 years to see Porta Santa opened again.
This is one of many interesting things to see at and within St. Peter's. Have a brief look before or after you enter the basilica. Lots to be seen inside!
The significance of the Holy Door is that it remains closed, cemented shut and is only opened every 25 years for Catholic pilgrims to pass through its doorway. The last time it was open was 2000 so we must wait another 10 years to see Porta Santa opened again.
This is one of many interesting things to see at and within St. Peter's. Have a brief look before or after you enter the basilica. Lots to be seen inside!
Written 27 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adelaidiantraveller
Adelaide, Australia16,255 contributions
Jan 2011 • Friends
The door is located at the entrance to St Peter's Basilica- at the right end of the atrium.
Whether you are a religious person or not, it is worth admiring as a work of art, and also for the religious messages it conveys.
It is something to look out for when you visit St peter's Basilica.
Whether you are a religious person or not, it is worth admiring as a work of art, and also for the religious messages it conveys.
It is something to look out for when you visit St peter's Basilica.
Written 23 June 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natsom
Calgary, Canada30 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The Jubilee Door is only opened every 25 years. Pope Francis has it opened until November 16, 2016. Read up on the door, it is fascinating and the opportunity to pass through it in 2016 is historical.
Written 14 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveS1970
Coventry, UK8,903 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
A golden door opened every 25 years that cleanses the soul of those who pass through it. Beautiful artwork but concreted up after every Catholic jubilee. Next opening is in 2025.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nora
60 contributions
Aug 2019
Impressive massive door and entry to St Peter's Basilica.A door reserved for Popes.beautiful example of historical works of art.
Written 11 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor member
Hi! How is the easy way to get to this door, please? Also can you see them without a tour guide when you inside the Basilica (audioguide) or this is outside (sorry never been so don't know)
Written 14 September 2017
I would agree with Neil, don't use a tour guide. We did Rome in 5 days and saw everything. The local tourist map is more than enough to get you around but I would suggest you make a plan of what you want to see because there is so much.
We did most of it on foot, once we were in the centre, and it was quite tiring.
Enjoy, Rome is amazing
Written 23 September 2017
Ganna G
Izmir, Türkiye
Hello. How you go to inside? before need take ticket or make different thinks?
Written 18 February 2016
Gostaria de saber como agendar para passar na Porta Santa da Basilica de São Pedro. Estarei em Roma doa dia 18/3 a 21/3 e depois dia 26/4 a 29/4.
Obrigada
Written 26 January 2016
Gostaria de saber como agendar para passar na Porta Santa. Estarei em Roma do dia 18/3 a 21/3 e depois dia 26/04 a 29/4.
Obrigada
Written 26 January 2016
Olá Ademildes, como vai? Eu não sei se é possÃvel agendar a passagem pela porta, mas todos os dados sobre o Jubileu, com as datas de todos os eventos e outras informações você pode entrar no site: im.va (em português). Tenha uma boa viagem.
Written 28 January 2016
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