Plizio Visual Lab

St. Stephen of the Abyssinians Terrace

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

St. Stephen of the Abyssinians Terrace (Vatican)

Weather…

The St. Stephen of the Abyssinians Terrace is a historically significant elevation located behind St. Peter's Basilica, named after the oldest surviving church in the Vatican, Santo Stefano degli Abissini. This terrace marks a key topographic level on the southern portion of the Vatican Hill. The church itself dates back to the 5th century and underwent extensive reconstruction in the 12th century under Pope Alexander III. For centuries, the terrace served as a central hub for Ethiopian monks who maintained a close spiritual connection with the Holy See. Geologically, this area sits above the ancient Vatican Necropolis, which required specialized foundational work for the church and the surrounding terrace walls. From this vantage point, one can enjoy a unique view of the apse of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Gardens. Today, the terrace is a site of profound quiet, preserving archaeological and historical evidence of early Christianity.

Location: Vatican
Top sights: Cupola di San Pietro · Dome of Saint Peter · Saint Stephen of the Ethiopians

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	7	8	10	14	18	23	26	26	21	17	12	8
Rain mm	73	77	69	56	57	34	26	26	70	82	114	92

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Terrace of St. Stephen of the Abyssinians is an elevated plateau behind St. Peter's Basilica, with limited public access. The area can be viewed from the Vatican Gardens, but direct entry to the church is often restricted to services.

🕒

Typical hours

The church is typically open only during services, which are usually held in the morning. Visiting the terrace is only possible as part of a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, which requires advance booking.

📷

Photography

Photography inside the church is usually not allowed, but on the terrace it is permitted if you have access. The best shot is from the Vatican Gardens, overlooking the raised platform and the basilica beyond.

⏱️

Time needed

If visiting the terrace as part of a garden tour, allow about 15-20 minutes for this spot. The entire guided tour of the Vatican Gardens typically lasts two hours.

➕

Combine with

The terrace is part of the Vatican Gardens, so best combined with a garden tour. St. Peter's Basilica and the dome are also nearby and can be visited before or after the tour.

🧭

Getting there

Access to the terrace is exclusively via the Vatican Gardens, which can only be entered with a guided tour. The meeting point for tours is usually at the Vatican Tourism Office on the north side of St. Peter's Square.

💡

Insider tip

Book the garden tour well in advance online as spots are limited - especially in peak season. Ask the guide about the history of the Abyssinian community in the Vatican - it's one of Rome's oldest Christian communities.

Geography

Coordinates

41.90200, 12.45280

Facts

The church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini is the oldest surviving church in the Vatican (5th century).
The terrace is located directly behind the apse of St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Sixtus IV granted the church to Ethiopian monks in the 15th century.
The 12th-century Romanesque portal of the church is a masterpiece of its era.
Geologically, this area is situated above the ancient Vatican Necropolis.
The terrace has been reinforced multiple times to support the weight of the historical structures.