Practical Information

The Vatican bookshop is located to the left of the Basilica as one faces it from St Peter's Square.  Walk past the colonnade toward the Basilica, staying close to the left hand side of the wall near the steps.  One passes the toilets and the post office/information office before coming to the bookshop.  In addition to more scholarly or theological works, there are devotional books, lives of saints, prayer books, guide books, travel books, art books (coffee table style, and smaller); and slides, DVDs, CDs, etc.  There is an English section as well as other language section; most books, however, are in Italian or Latin.  Books are cheaper there than in other parts of Rome (especially the souvenir shops right around the Vatican).

If one goes to the cupola (dome) of the Basilica, it is possible to walk outside on the roof of the Basilica itself (right up to the facade with all the gigantic statues of Christ and the Apostles).  There on the roof is a book/gift shop!  There are books (travel, guide, coffee table gift books, etc., but no serious books) as well as statues, rosaries, medals, holy pictures, etc.  The shop is run by religious sisters who are very nice. 

It is suggested that one stops here on the way down from the cupola -- otherwise it is necessary to carry purchases up the many steps to the dome, which isn't convenient.