St. Peter's Basilica - Rome
Catholicism's main church, named after the apostle Peter, is a beautiful and stately building and it resembles a museum since it full of different art treasures.
It is one of the largest and most visited attractions in Rome since both regular tourists and Catholics gatheres here.
The huge church itself is a display of magnificent architecture and the view from the dome on the roof of the church is also very beutiful and impressive. Ornaments, sculptures and the history contribute to a memorable experience for anyone visiting Rome and St. Peter's Basilica.
(Click in the pictures of St. Peters Basilica to view larger versions)
St. Peter's Square with the huge St Peter's Basilica in the background. Expect long queues. You will not enter the church if your legs (beneath you knees) is shown.
St. Peter's Square is surrounded by huge colonnades topped by statues of saints.
At the far end of St. Peter's Basilica this window glows. Since it is rather dark in the church I recommend a tripod (or a really good camera) if ypu want to take pictures (something I sadly lacked when i took my pictures).
The church has several domes that let the daylight in and it create an atmospheric glow. Despite the many windows there is still quite dimly in St. Peters Basilica. Yet it was a blazing sun (and 35 degrees) when this pictures was taken.
In the catacombs under St. Peter's Basilica thera are many popes are buried. Here you can visit the tomb for Pope John Paul II, the former Bishop of Rome. A visit to the catacombs is perhaps most rewarding for faithful Catholics.
Take the time (and energy) to get to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Then you will be rewarded with a view of Rome where you can look into the Vatican and see how the Pope lives. The picture shows only a part of the large area.
Great view from St. Peter's Basilica of St. Peter's Square. Further away, a little to the left, you will also see Castell Sant Angelo. From above the dome, you can see out over the whole of Rome and it is well worth the effort to get up.
Map St. Peters Basilica »
Fact and history of St. Peters Basilica:
Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano as it is called in Italian was opened in 1625th. The construction of it started already 1506 and it took 120 years to complete it.
It was due to a nearly hundred-year-long debate over how it should be designed. Finally Carlo Maderno designed church that then could be built, but many others have contributed as for example Raphael and Michelangelo.
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is the largest Catholic church and it measures 212 meters outside and 187m. and a height of 187m.
The name derives from St. Peter, the apostle Peter who died the martyr death approximately 64 AD under Emperor Nero's persecution. St. Peter is also buried in the church. Many flock to St. Peter's Basilica and the toes of the bronze statue of St. Peter has been worn away by all the kisses from the pilgrims.
In the middle of the church they store their relics and there i said that a part of the cross of Christ is stored here amongst many other relics.
St. Peter's Square in front of the church was designed by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and inaugurated in 1666th. It is extremely large and in certain ceremonies it can accommodate over 300 000 people. The columns surrounding St. Peters Square is the crowned by 140 statues of different saints.
In Bernini's high altar, only the pope is allowed to hold the church fair.
One of the more famous sculptures are Pietà that was created by Michelangelo in 1499 and depicts the Virgin Mary as she holds the dead Jesus in her lap.