St. Peter seen through the Key Hole

The dome of the Basilica of St. Peter as you have never seen it before. That's right, do you want to surprise that friend who thinks he knows everything about Rome? Take him to see the well-known, but still not so famous, Key Hole.

TOURS AND GUIDED VISITS TO THE BASILICA OF SAN PIETRO

KEY HOLE: WHERE IT IS

The Key Hole is a destination of continuous pilmgrimage, but still not a mass destination due to its location in a non tourist area. There is usually a small line, but it moves fast:

It is located in the high part of the Aventine Hill, between the Garden of Oranges and the gate of the Priorate of the Knights of Malta, so right in the area of Circus Maximus, but you will never get there by chance. Regarding the Garden of Oranges: since you are already here, "waste" some ten minutes wandering around it, you won't regret it.

KEY HOLE: WHAT IT I

The Key Hole is nothing less than the exciting view offered by the key hole of the gate of the Priorate of the Knights of Malta, when you look through it. The excitement that comes over the unaware tourist is due not only by the immortal charm of spying something or someone, but also to the panoramic view that lays in front of the eye: St. Peter's Dome in a new and different perspective surrounded by hedges from the eighteenth-century Priorate Garden.
The place is worth the visit, both day an night. Perhaps the best moment is at sunset.
In addition, the area is very calm and quiet. It is really a pleasant walk outside the tourist turmoil of the Capital. 

The place is worth the visit, both day an night. Perhaps the best moment is at sunset.

KEY HOLE: HISTORY

But was this key hole created by chance? Many wonder about it, the answer is obviously not. It was very likely Piranesi who in 1765, under request from the cardinal Rezzonico, was asked to restructure the entry point building beside it an spectacular rococo small square.

Is spying on the Basilica from a hole not enough? We will satisfy you immediately!

Here is an unmissable selection of the best tours on St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.