2026-02-01 18:00
publication
2026-02-01 18:00
A bistro will be built on the terrace on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica – reported the Roman daily “Il Messaggero”. According to the newspaper, the work carried out there is advanced and may be completed this year.
It will be the first such premises in this extraordinary place and with the most beautiful view of the square in front of the Vatican Basilica and the panorama of Rome – said the newspaper. As she explained, the restaurant will be located opposite the figures of the apostles, in a place previously inaccessible.
The bistro is to be arranged in some of the back rooms located there.
The daily quoted information from Vatican sources who said that recently, some equipment has been brought there, which means that the work is already at a good point. They are surrounded by mystery.
The newspaper noted that the project itself is not new and there were even plans to implement it before the Holy Year 2025. However, this turned out to be impossible due to technical delays.
Currently, it cannot be ruled out that the bistro may be completed this year, which marks the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the basilica – reported “Il Messaggero”.
The Vatican Basilica is not only a temple, but also a place massively visited by tourists. During the Holy Year, approximately 50,000 people came there every day.
Tourists and pilgrims enter St. Peter's Basilica, many of them taking the elevator to its dome. There is a small bar on the terrace where drinks are sold. In summer, when temperatures are unbearable, many visitors stop there for a while.
As noted, the idea of enlarging the terrace and allocating part of it to a restaurant is a direct consequence of the partial “museumization” of the basilica, to which Pope Francis agreed.
At the end, the newspaper jokingly wonders whether Leo XIV would like to come to the bistro for pasta or a sandwich.
From Rome Sylwia Wysocka (PAP)
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