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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

40 days in Europe BY A USER FROM CHILE May, popular PREFERENCES: May ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 59 days in Europe BY A USER FROM INDIA June, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 30 days in France, Spain & Italy BY A USER FROM NETHERLANDS April, romantic, popular PREFERENCES: April, romantic ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 21 days in Paris, Monaco & Vatican City BY A USER FROM VIETNAM June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 22 days in Italy, Lisbon & Spain BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: August, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 15 days in Italy BY A USER FROM CANADA October, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 1 day in Vatican City BY A USER FROM ITALY April, kids, popular PREFERENCES: April, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 16 days in Italy, Germany & Madrid BY A USER FROM ITALY April, teens, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 14 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 23 days in Italy BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 17 days in Europe BY A USER FROM INDIA June, kids, popular PREFERENCES: June, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 30 days in Europe & Asia BY A USER FROM MONGOLIA June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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