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La Pieta, Vatican City

4.8
#7 of 45 in Things to do in Vatican City
#Monument, #Tourist Spot
A masterpiece of Renaissance art and arguably one of the most moving sculptures ever created, Michelangelo’s La Pieta depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ. This statue is the most notable work inside Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Michelangelo was only 24 when he carved this complex work of art from a single slab of marble. He chose to show the Virgin as a youthful woman in repose, rather than the older, grieving Mary of most other works on the same subject. Unique among Michelangelo’s sculptures, this is signed as his own, allegedly to prevent viewers from confusing his work with that of a competing sculptor. Legend has it that Michelangelo broke into the church after finishing his work and hurriedly chiseled his name into the sculpture before anyone noticed he was there. Make La Pieta a centerpiece of your Vatican City vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Vatican City trip planner.
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La Pieta Tours
Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, St Peter’s, Sistine Chapel, Small-Group Upgrade Option BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $79
23570 reviews
Duration: 3 hours
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Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $47
8144 reviews
Duration: 3 hours
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Early Access Vatican Museums Small-Group Tour with St. Peter’s and Sistine Chapel BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $118
2417 reviews
Duration: 3 hours
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La Pieta Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
3,754 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By skikhourii On March 21, 2018
    This was the first work I saw when I entered St. Peter’s basilica. It took my breath away. I just can’t get over the art and work of Michaelangelo. amazing.  more »
  • By ldjs On March 20, 2018
    It’s hard to imagine how young Michelangelo was when he completed the Pieta. It is delicate and beautiful and Mary looks human and young. Centuries later the marble still seems alive with emotion. It ...  more »
  • By Natalia P On March 19, 2018
    Small piece of St. Peter's Cathedral, tiny frequently just velikolepijah, which can be seen in this Cathedral.
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Plans to La Pieta by other users

13 days in Italy BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 14 days in Europe BY A USER FROM QATAR July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 25 days in Europe BY A USER FROM ARGENTINA July, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 7 days in United Kingdom, Paris & Vatican City BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 7 days in United Kingdom, Paris & Vatican City BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 20 days in Italy, France & Germany BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 1 day in Vatican City BY A USER FROM GEORGIA June, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 39 days in Italy BY A USER FROM POLAND June, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 60 days in Italy BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 15 days in Italy BY A USER FROM NAMIBIA April, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 5 days in Rome BY A USER FROM ARGENTINA September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 17 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced
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