San Pietro in Montorio

First let me suggest how to get here, because there's a real shortcut. Get to the hairpin turn in Vicolo del Cedro, 600 feet west of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Get off the road and take the steps up the hill. At the top, turn left on Via Garibaldi, and in 150 feet, there's a stairway going up the hill on the right side of the road. That stairway takes you to the church.

Now then, the Church of San Pietro in Montorio (Saint Peter on the Golden Mountain) was built on the site of an earlier 9th century church which marked the supposed site of St. Peter's crucifixion. Most Catholics believe St. Peter was crucified in the Circus of Nero beside St. Peter's Basilica but somebody apparently thinks it was here instead. The church is richly decorated with artworks by 16th and 17th century masters, and several beautiful chapels.

The highlight of the church (in my opinion) is the Tempietto (Small Temple) which is a small commemorative tomb designed by Donato Bramante, possibly as early in 1502, in the church's courtyard (first 2 photos below). It was commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella, and is considered a masterpiece of High Renaissance Italian architecture.

I thought the church was open from 9-noon and 4pm-6pm. I arrived at 4:40 pm but the Tempietto's courtyard had closed at 4:30 pm and there was a wedding in the church, so I was able to only see the Tempietto and only from behind the gate. I returned back on my way down the hill later, but the Tempietto was still locked, and there were only a few rushed minutes to hastily take some photos before the church itself was locked up. So be careful with the hours of this church. The 3rd photo below is of the wedding decorations being removed from the nave, the 4th and 5th are of the Pieta Chapel.

Tempietto, in Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio
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The nave of Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio
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The Pieta Chapel in Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio, with the painting of the Entombment, by van Baburen, above its altar
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The rest of these photos are of the Raimondi Chapel, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The Raimondi Chapel of Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
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Details in the Raimondi Chapel of Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
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Baratta's 'Saint Francis in Ecstasy', 1640, in the Raimondi Chapel of San Pietro in Montorio, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
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Location:	41.88879, 12.46662 At the second hairpin turn in Via Garibaldi when climbing the Janiculum Hill
Metro:	Piramide, see directions to the Janiculum Hill
Time:	1 hour
Cost:	free
Hours:	?