After years of restoration and ongoing excavations, the necropolis hidden below St Peter’s Basilica reopens to the public. Built on the site of Nero’s circus, finding a resting place in the cemetery next to St Peter was a very big deal. Visitors can now see these new-found, ancient graves at close quarters and admire the incredible series of early Christian frescoes. Applications for visits must be made in writing at least 20 days before the proposed visit, stating the number of people in the group and the day and language preferred.