Idea # 467 – Visiting Saint Peter’s Basilica and going upstairs in the Dome
After the circular place with double colonnade, with palaces and gardens which surround it, the Saint Peter basilica, the biggest religious building to the world, constitutes the center of the Vatican City and the Christian world. The city, independent state of 44 hectares, surrounded by fortified walls, is opened on Rome by buildings and remarkable places. The palace of Vatican, place of Pope’s residence, results from a long series of modifications, from the XIIIth to the XVIIth centuries.
The Saint-Peter Basilica of Vatican (in Latin: Sancti Petri and in Italian: San Pietro in Vaticano) was built where the first pilgrims came to adore Saint Peter, under the will of emperor Constantin, in the place of Neron’s circus. Its construction began April 18th, 1506 and was finished in 1626. The most important architects were Bramante, Michel-Angels and Bernin. The catholic tradition indicates that Saint Peter’s Grave is situated under the high altar, in the center of the church, under the baroque canopy. According to the tradition, Saint Peter was the first bishop of Antioch and Rome, and thus the first pope.
The basilica Saint-Peter is an important place of pilgrimage ; every Sunday, at least 150 000 Catholics come during the papal angelus. With a surface of 2,3 ha and a capacity of more than 20 000 people, it is the biggest Roman Catholic Church. Registered on the list of the world heritage of UNESCO, the Saint Peter basilica is considered as the biggest architectural buildings of its time, and one of the most visited monuments into the world.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Saint Pierre Place, Vatican
