Overview:

is the large dome that sits atop St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The dome was designed by Renaissance artist and architect Michelangelo and is part of a larger, unfinished project. The dome is an iconic feature of the basilica and is seen in many cityscapes across Europe. The dome's external diameter is 138 feet, with an internal diameter of 117 feet. It is 448 feet tall, making it one of the tallest domes in the world. It is made of various materials, including travertine marble, tufa stone, lead-covered wood, and brick. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

1. It is the largest dome in the world featuring Renaissance architecture, and it dominates the skyline of Vatican City. 2. Built between 1585 and 1590, it is the tallest dome in the world at 136.57 metres. 3. It is the last of the great domes of the Renaissance and has an ornate interior finish. 4. It was designed by Michelangelo who incorporated a complex geometrical structure of 16 ribs, based on four doubleets of four arches. 5. The total weight of the dome is estimated to be in the region of 13,000 tonnes, making it the heaviest in the world. 6. It has been the subject of several renovations since its completion in 1590, the most recent of which was in 2000. 7. The exterior of the dome is adorned with 136 spikes, each symbolizing a Christian virtue. 8. It is crowned with a statue of Jesus named La Resurrezione, 7.5m high and weighing 6 tonnes. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The distinctive dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican-City was designed and constructed in the 16th century by renowned Renaissance architect, Michelangelo. The dome stands as the highest point in Rome and one of the most iconic in Europe. The dome is built on a lattice of four intersecting arches and is constructed using the same ancient Roman technique of crossing masonry arches as used in the Pantheon and in other classical monuments. The dome is bejeweled with eight windows that provide a dramatic view of the cityscape of Rome. Michelangelo’s innovative design was to build the dome with little or no centering, which meant that workers could start construction on one side and not even have to worry about the other! The dome was built with a double shell and is constructed with travertine stone blocks laid on a brick core. During construction there were five rings of stone blocks laid as each stone shell was built on top of the other. The outer stone shell is composed of the lighter travertine stone blocks, and the inner stone shell is composed of white marble blocks. The crowning glory of Michelangelo’s workmanship is a bronze lattice lantern that was constructed with four blazing angelic holy symbols facing the corners of the cathedral. This spectacular lantern rises to the same height of the dome, and draws the eye up to the heavens. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica remains an iconic symbol of the Catholic faith and Vatican-City since its construction. It stands as a testimony of Michelangelo’s genius and continues to awe visitors to Rome with its beauty and grandeur. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is one of the largest domes in the world. It is the tallest dome in the world, with a total height of 136.57 meters (448.1 feet). 2. The dome was created by Italian Renaissance architect Michelangelo and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It took 16 years to complete and was finished in 1590. 3. The dome is 43.2 meters (142 feet) wide and is carried by four piers. These piers are protected by 16 massive columns. The columns feature sculptures of other Renaissance artists, including Bramante, Raphael, della Porta, and Maderno. 4. The dome features a bronze pine cone, which is a symbol of eternal life, and a window with a cross overlooking the inside of the cupola. 5. Inside the dome, there is an inner dome with frescoes created by Girolamo Rainaldi and Cesare Nebbia, as well as several mosaics. 6. Underneath the dome is the tombs of St. Peter and some other popes. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.