Overview:

: St. Peter's Basilica is a large basilica located in Vatican-City, the capital of the Catholic church. It is the largest of all the churches in the world and is over 2,000 years old. This basilica is located in St. Peter's Square and it is the main place of worship for the Roman Catholic Church. It is home to several important works of art, including the Pieta statue as well as Michelangelo's Dome. Additionally, St. Peter's Basilica is the burial site for many popes and contains the burial chamber of St. Peter, the first pope of the Catholic Church. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

1. Dome of the Basilica – St. Peter’s Basilica is renowned around the world for its iconic dome. Designed by Renaissance master, Michelangelo, this masterpiece stands 318 feet tall at its highest point and is one of the most impressive architectural feats of all time. 2. St. Peter's Square – The beautiful St. Peter's Square is framed by Bernini's colonnades, a design with two pairs of 140-foot columns joined by arches. At the center, you will find the iconic obelisk. 3. Papal Tomb and Papal Chapel – St. Peter's Basilica contains the tombs of over 120 past popes, as well as a chapel holding the tomb of St. Peter. Found beneath the high altar of St. Peter's, this chapel is richly decorated and features Michelangelo’s spectacular Pietà sculpture. 4. Baldachin – Standing over the high altar in St. Peter's Basilica is a bronze canopy known as the baldachin. This piece was created by Bernini and stands eighty-eight feet tall, rising above the marble floor, and is supported by four twisted columns. 5. Frescoes and Mosaics – With its incredible ceilings lined with painted frescoes, the basilica is an incredible display of Renaissance art and architecture. Many of the walls are covered in intricate mosaics that date back to the 16th century. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest and most important church in the world. It stands at the heart of the Vatican City, the spiritual and administrative center of the Universal Church. The predecessor to the present basilica was built, among other reasons, to house the tomb of St. Peter, the first Pope and the chief among Christ’s apostles, who is said to have been martyred in the city of Rome in the first century. Before that, a shrine was erected in 64 AD, in the area that is now the Necropolis under St. Peter’s. The first structure to be called a basilica was built by Constantine I in the 4th century, but it was destroyed sometime during the 14th or 15th centuries. It is a symbol of the power and importance of the Church. St. Peter’s Square, with its distinctive colonnades, was designed by Gianlorenzo Bernini and completed in 1656. The Dome is the largest in the world and Michelangelo’s grandest work. The sculpture of St. Peter over the altar was sculpted by Michelangelo and is a symbol of the power of the Church. The interior is filled with art and artifacts that are priceless and have inspired millions. There is Museo Pio-Clementino and parts of Vatican City’s Library, along with countless tombs of many of the Popes who have held the office. Every year, more than 6 million people visit St. Peter’s Basilica, more than any other church in the world. It truly is a place of power and awe. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest Christian church in the world and it covers approximately 7,000 square meters. 2. It is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and it was completed in 1626, after 120 years of construction. 3. The towering dome of St. Peter's Basilica was designed by Michelangelo and is considered one of the most impressive Renaissance structures in the world. 4. Inside St. Peter's, more than 300 sculptures, paintings, and altars are situated. 5. The Vatican Necropolis (or Cemetery) is located beneath the Vatican City. It is believed that this is the place where Saint Peter was buried. 6. The Swiss Guards are responsible for protecting the Pope and securing the basilica. They are dressed in bright Renaissance clothing and have been doing their job since 1506. 7. Each Saturday, the Pope holds a service in St. Peter's Basilica and opens the doors to the public. 8. Famous Baroque artworks, including Bernini's Baldacchino (Bronze sculpture) and the bronze throne are located inside St. Peter's. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.