Tomb of Urban VIII
Tomb of Urban VIII
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: 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 neighborhood 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 neighborhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
How to get there
- Ottaviano - San Pietro - Musei Vaticani • 10 min walk
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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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
210 reviews
Excellent
118
Very good
73
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
5
Lance H
Boerne, TX1,258 contributions
Dec 2019
Classic Bernini with its attention to detail, symbolism, and perfection. Note that many of the pictures currently in this review are of Pope Gregory. The tomb of Urban has him in black marble with bronze. Black symbolizing death.
Written February 28, 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.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,624 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Amongst the numerous highlights within St. Peter's Basilica includes the tomb of Pope Urban VIII (1623-44) located near the front of the church. It is the work of Bernini (1647) and features a golden bronze of Urban VIII, robed and seated while raising right hand upward as if giving blessing. The statues sits upon a marble pedestal, fronted by sarcophagus and the figures of Charity (left) and Justice (right) as well as a skeleton with its back turned as it inscribes the Popes name on a scroll.
Written May 20, 2024
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.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,217 contributions
Jun 2022
Michelangelo’s La Pieta is the star sculpture at St Peter’s but this large, monumental tomb of Pope Urban VIII should also be on the must-see list.
Pope Urban VIII was Bernini’s greatest patron. The Pope had already chosen the place where his tomb would be and he commissioned Bernini to design it. He had already made Bernini ‘Chief Architect of St Peter’s’ in 1629 so his expectations of a grand and fitting memorial would have been high.
What you see here is a large, dark, gilded bronze figure of the Pope. He is seated on a white marble pedestal that rises above his sarcophagus. At his feet are the figures of Charity (on the left) and Justice with a scale and sword (on the right). However the figure that really catches your eye is the black figure of Death who sits behind the sarcophagus writing the Pope’s name into his ledger, like some sort of spooky bookkeeper.
Urban VIII was Pope for 21 years, from 1623 until his death in 1644. He was an authoritarian who also wrote verse in Greek, Latin and Italian. He imprisoned Galileo, but was also the first pope to prohibit slavery in Brazil, Paraguay and the West Indies. Mostly he spent enormous sums beautifying Rome and was responsible for an energetic (his critics said excessive and extravagant) building programme.
NOTE: As several other reviewers have noted, almost all of the photos posted here show the wrong tomb (Pope Gregory XIII). The tombs are similar but Pope Gregory’s is all white marble whereas Pope Urban VIII’s has black bronze and white marble figures.
Pope Urban VIII was Bernini’s greatest patron. The Pope had already chosen the place where his tomb would be and he commissioned Bernini to design it. He had already made Bernini ‘Chief Architect of St Peter’s’ in 1629 so his expectations of a grand and fitting memorial would have been high.
What you see here is a large, dark, gilded bronze figure of the Pope. He is seated on a white marble pedestal that rises above his sarcophagus. At his feet are the figures of Charity (on the left) and Justice with a scale and sword (on the right). However the figure that really catches your eye is the black figure of Death who sits behind the sarcophagus writing the Pope’s name into his ledger, like some sort of spooky bookkeeper.
Urban VIII was Pope for 21 years, from 1623 until his death in 1644. He was an authoritarian who also wrote verse in Greek, Latin and Italian. He imprisoned Galileo, but was also the first pope to prohibit slavery in Brazil, Paraguay and the West Indies. Mostly he spent enormous sums beautifying Rome and was responsible for an energetic (his critics said excessive and extravagant) building programme.
NOTE: As several other reviewers have noted, almost all of the photos posted here show the wrong tomb (Pope Gregory XIII). The tombs are similar but Pope Gregory’s is all white marble whereas Pope Urban VIII’s has black bronze and white marble figures.
Written February 14, 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.
TravelinMichelle
West Chicago, IL80 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Bernini sculpture is quite impressive as the tomb to a pope from bygone years - - the art is impressive.
Written July 14, 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.
Gabriel A
Ploiesti, Romania4,917 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Tomb of Urban VIII is situated in St Peter's Basilica.
The statuary group is performed by Bernini.
The bronze statue of pope Urban VIII is on a white marble pedestal. The two women represent Charity and Justice.
Also appear a skeleton representing the Death.
The statuary group is performed by Bernini.
The bronze statue of pope Urban VIII is on a white marble pedestal. The two women represent Charity and Justice.
Also appear a skeleton representing the Death.
Written October 28, 2018
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.
95nikop
Brisbane, Australia2,362 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Whilst you are in St Peter's you will see this as you spend time roaming about taking it all in. It is worth seeing if you are there as are all of the other things inside.
Written January 18, 2017
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.
DilrukshiH
Colombo, Sri Lanka2,679 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
A wonderful monument made in Bronze & Marble, which is unusual.,
This monument is of a former Pope, created by the famous artist Bernini.
One has to see it to appreciate its artistic value.
A must see when in the basilica.
This monument is of a former Pope, created by the famous artist Bernini.
One has to see it to appreciate its artistic value.
A must see when in the basilica.
Written November 20, 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.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This is a Bernini masterpiece. On either side of the Pope sit Charity and Justice. The Pope is giving a benediction. Death writes the pope's name in a book.
The piece flows with such vitality, the characters could almost move freely (were they not bronze).
The piece flows with such vitality, the characters could almost move freely (were they not bronze).
Written September 16, 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.
Vebi-Guniawan
Indonesia43 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
it's amazing TOMB, you can see the "POPE" in the transparent glass. you can also pray and see the architecture design around the tomb.
Written May 12, 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.
Paul R
Horsham, UK420 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
No-one could capture feelings like Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His interpretations within Sculptures capture the personality of the subject as well as their actual likeness. Within the Girl looking up you find the look of reverence and admiration. What an Honour for any Man of Ecclesiatical High Office to be immortalised by a Sculptor of such consummate Skill.
Written May 4, 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.
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