Rome, a city that holds extraordinary significance for various traditions, becomes a focal point for pilgrims in the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year. For many, it may be surprising that the founder of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth, never set foot in Rome during his lifetime. Nevertheless, the city became the epicenter of the Christian Catholic Church, a status rooted in the legacy of Peter—one of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Simon Peter, originally a Jewish fisherman from Galilee, is traditionally regarded as the first leader of the Christian Church in most traditions. According to early Christian accounts, Peter arrived in Rome during Emperor Nero’s reign, where he preached, led the fledgling community, and ultimately faced martyrdom by crucifixion in 64 CE. Nearly two millennia later, pilgrims are drawn to the Eternal City to explore sites tied to Peter’s life and legacy.
Here we offer a tour of the 10 essential places of Saint Peter’s legacy in Rome
1. The pinnacle of Pilgrimage: St. Peter’s Basilica
At the heart of any pilgrimage to Rome lies St. Peter’s Basilica, an architectural marvel and one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the world. Built directly above Peter’s burial site (at least, according to tradition) the basilica embodies centuries of religious and cultural history. Archaeological excavations in 1943 uncovered the original tomb beneath the basilica, accessible today via the Vatican Necropolis.
The basilica’s centerpiece, the altar beneath Bernini’s famous baldachin, sits directly above Peter’s grave. This symbolic connection between Peter, regarded as the first pope, and his successors reinforces the basilica’s importance as a spiritual and historical landmark.
2. The obelisk in St. Peter’s Square
Standing prominently in St. Peter’s Square, an Egyptian obelisk connects the modern visitor to ancient Rome. Originally erected in Heliopolis (Egypt), the obelisk was transported to Rome under Emperor Caligula and placed in Nero’s Circus—a site linked to Peter’s martyrdom. Though devoid of hieroglyphs, the monument carries a Latin inscription and a cross atop its pinnacle, marking its transformation into a Christian relic and silent witness to Peter’s final days.
3. Traces of Peter’s presence: Santa Maria in Via Lata
Located on Via del Corso, the Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata is said to stand on the site of an ancient house where Peter and the evangelist Luke resided during Peter’s time in Rome. Tradition also holds that Paul joined Peter here during his house arrest –a moment of unity and solidarity between two foundational figures of Christianity.
4. Shadows of confinement: Mamertine Prison
Near the Roman Forum lies the Mamertine Prison, believed to have held Peter and Paul before their executions. The prison’s dark, subterranean chambers provide a glimpse into the harsh conditions faced by Rome’s prisoners. According to tradition, a spring miraculously appeared within the prison so that Peter could baptize his jailers, adding yet another layer of religious meaning to the site.
5. Chains and artistry: San Pietro in Vincoli
The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, or “Saint Peter in Chains,” near the Colosseum, houses the chains that allegedly bound Peter during his imprisonment. This modest basilica is also home to Michelangelo’s celebrated statue of Moses, blending artistic grandeur with religious reverence.
6. The cathedral of Rome: St. John Lateran
While St. Peter’s Basilica may be the most famous, St. John Lateran is the actual cathedral of Rome. Known as the “Mother of all Churches,” it holds a special place in the city’s ecclesiastical history and honors Peter as one of its patron saints.
7. Where legend meets history: the Church of Santa Maria in Palmis
Venturing along the ancient Via Appia Antica, pilgrims find the Church of Santa Maria in Palmis, also known as Domine Quo Vadis. This church commemorates a legend in which Peter, fleeing persecution, sees Jesus in a vision. When Peter asks, “Quo vadis, Domine?” (Where are you going, Lord?), Jesus replies that he is returning to Rome to be crucified again. This encounter reportedly inspired Peter to accept his fate and return to the city. The church contains a symbolic relic—a marble slab with impressions attributed to Christ’s feet.
This medieval story later inspired one of the 19th century’s most renowned novels about the Roman Empire, which was adapted into a 1951 film starring Peter Ustinov, Deborah Kerr and Robert Tayor.
8. Catacombs of San Callisto
Following the Appian Way, we find these catacombs, which were the cemetery of the popes from the 2nd to the 4th centuries. Although more associated with the early Christians, they contain references to St Peter and St Paul.
9. Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls
Next to the Catacombs we find this basilica which was built by order of the emperor Constantine himself, in honour of St Peter and St Paul. It was built on this site because the relics of the two apostles were hidden here during the centuries of persecution. Shortly afterwards it was dedicated to a famous Roman martyr, St Sebastian.
10. Church of San Pietro in Montorio
On the way back to the Vatican, on the Janiculum, we find this church built on the spot where tradition says that Saint Peter was nailed to the cross before being taken to Nero’s Circus, where he died. This church is located in one of the most beautiful corners of Rome, very close to the Spanish Embassy.
A timeless pilgrimage
Rome offers a perfect journey through time for those tracing Peter’s footsteps. The city’s blend of ancient traditions, historic landmarks, and enduring stories makes it an essential destination for those seeking to understand the roots of Christian history and the figure whose legacy continues to shape faith communities worldwide. Whether for spiritual reflection or historical exploration, these sites invite pilgrims to engage with Rome’s rich past in meaningful ways.